Colwyn Abgrall fires opening-round 63 to take two-stroke lead at PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf
By: Brendan Stasiewich, PGA of Canada
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(Langley, BC) – Colwyn Abgrall wasted no time getting into red numbers on Thursday morning at Redwoods Golf Club in Langley, BC, making birdie on each of his first two holes to start his quest for the PGA Assistants’ Championship of Canada presented by Callaway Golf title. In total, Abgrall made nine birdies to fire 63.
“For the most part I was just picking good targets and hit some shots in close, made some putts from some length and it added up quite nicely today,” said Abgrall.
“The first hole I hit it to 4 feet, second hole I hit it to 4 feet, then I kind of plugged along for a few holes, made birdie on 6 and 7,” continued Abgrall, who teaches out of GOLFTEC. “When you’re 4-under through 7, you’re just trying to keep it going and that’s what I was able to do.”
Prior to turning professional, Abgrall was named Manitoba’s Golfer of the Year after claiming the 2019 Manitoba Amateur Championship. Abgrall also competed in the US Amateur that summer.
Earlier this summer, Abgrall finished third at the PGA of Manitoba Zone Championship and 15th at the PGA Championship of Canada at Mickelson National Golf Club.
“This is new territory for myself at a national level event, but I just want to make sure I stick to my game plan, hit good clubs off the tee and pick good targets,” said Abgrall. “I think my approach and wedge play has been solid all year. It will be difficult to follow today up, but that’s always a good challenge.”
Defending champion Yohann Benson, who won the PGA Championship of Canada earlier this year, made eight birdies to fire a 65 to fold into second place alongside Maxwell Cohen, who kept bogeys off his card on Thursday.
Despite Abgrall’s performance on Thursday, the squad from the PGA of Manitoba trails the PGA of BC by 5 strokes heading into the final portion of the InterZone competition tomorrow.
In addition to the $9,000 first place prize, a position on the PGA of Canada’s 2025 Four Nations Cup team is also on the line this week.
The 14th hole this week was selected as the E-Z-GO It’s Good to Go Hole of the Week. All players who make eagle on the hole are entered to win a $250 bonus. Six players made eagle, including: Braden Chown, Beon Yeong Lee, John Shin, Luke Bogdan, Finlay Young and Jordan Ells.
Second-round tee times begin at 8 AM P.T.