Joshua Creel shot a 9 under 61 on the Friday, rocketing up the leaderboard of the 2023 Visit Knoxville Open.
Creel played in the first wave of Holston Hills Country club and made eight birdies on his first twelve holes. Five consecutive pars chilled him, but a birdie on the last hole got him to nine under par.
He was asked to explain his thoughts after he tied the course record and posted a career-low round of 29.
“Fifty-nine, yeah. “Par 70, turn 29, and you’re definitely thinking 59,” Creel said. He added that he believed a round under 60 was so close.
He said: “I lipped putts on 14, 15, and 16 so that’s 60, could have done a few better.”
Creel is within striking distance of the co-leader in the first round, Alejandro Tosti.
Tosti wants to win his first professional title and is aware that he has a lot of hard work ahead, with 36 holes left this weekend. He likes his current situation.
“Just being in it for the tournament. “I’ve played really well and I feel as if I’ve knocked on the door, but I haven’t had a good outcome. So whatever is meant will happen,” said he after rounds of 65 and 67. “I’m happy to have this opportunity because I know that there aren’t many players playing better than myself at this moment.”
Tosti’s Argentinian compatriot Jorge Fernandez Valdes also has a score of 9 under, after shooting a 64 Friday. Jacob Solomon and Matt McCarty share fourth place at 8 under. Nelson Ledesma shot a 70 on Friday, dropping back to a tie with six other players.
Camilo Villegas has entered the field. He is tied for 10th place (67-67).
