The first round of the Simmons Bank Championship couldn’t have gone much better Friday for PGA Tour Champions rookie Tag Ridings.
The former University of Arkansas standout was atop the leaderboard for most of the day in Little Rock, firing a 6-under 66 to settle in a four-way tie for second place. Like many others, he was overtaken by New Zealand’s Steven Alker and his scintillating tournament-record 11-under 61.
The only blemish on Ridings’ scorecard came at the par-5 14th when he made bogey. Before that, Ridings rode five birdies on the front nine and two more on the back, the last coming at the par-3 13th to reach 7 under.
Ridings, 51, was paired Friday with Tommy Gainey and Dicky Pride. He will be in the final grouping at 9:28 a.m. Saturday with Alker and Greg Chalmers, who he is tied for second place along with Justin Leonard, Stewart Cink and Billy Andrade.
Gainey’s birdie on the opening hole got Ridings’ attention.