Jamerson shoots 77 on first day of PGA championships

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. —  Although Faber Jamerson wasn’t ready to call his buddies and brag about Thursday’s 7-over 77 in the first round of the PGA Championship, the first-timer’s downfall wasn’t shaky nerves.

"I felt fine. It was a new experience for me — my first Tour event being a major," said Jamerson, the general manager at Falling River Country Club in Appomattox, who is tied for 129th in the 156-man field, 14 strokes off the lead of Steve Stricker, who tied the major championship record with a 63.

"It was a little tough mid-round."

Jamerson turned in 36 on the front nine, but followed a double bogey at No. 10 with three straight bogeys at Atlanta Athletic Club. The stretch prevented the former James Madison University player from capitalizing on what he thought was a benign opening round.

"To be frank, it played a little easier than from where we’ve been playing it (in practice rounds)," said the 34-year-old, who qualified for the event with his runner-up finish in the 2011 PGA Professional National Championship last month. "I was kind of shocked it played as easy as it was. I feel like I missed an opportunity."

Sporting a headcover from his alma mater, Jamerson made his lone birdie on No. 5, one of AAC’s two par-5s. He nearly finished with a bang, however.

With 219 yards left into the toughest hole on the course, the 503-yard par-4 18th, Jamerson and caddie Rick Schuller, had a lengthy discussion regarding club selection.

"The wind came up," Jamerson said. "I knew I had to step on a 4-iron; sure enough, I did."

The three-time winner of the Virginia State Open took it right at the intimidating pin placement, perched precariously over a water hazard. But with just 10 feet left for a rare finishing birdie, Jamerson left the putt in the heart of the hole, inches shy.

Of the 20 club pros to qualify for the event, 11 fared better than Jamerson and two mirrored his 77. The projected cut is 4- to- 5-over par, meaning a 67 or 68 must be in the cards in order for Jamerson to reach his goal of a top-10 finish.

His parents and fiancée joined a horde of hometown supporters who walked the fairways and steadied Jamerson’s nerves outside Atlanta on Thursday. Oddly enough, the jitters were present prior to round.

"I was actually more nervous on the range than I was on the first tee," Jamerson said.

Schuller, a veteran of four PGA championships (he finished 44th here in 2001), was another asset for Jamerson.

"It really helps a whole lot, drawing from his experience," Jamerson said. "He’s a really good caddie, too; I don’t know about him raking the bunker, I think he’s a little tired now. He was calming at times. Unfortunately, he can’t hit it occasionally."