Jeff Sorenson leads Event No. 3 of PGA Tournament Series

PORT ST. LUCIE – Jeff Sorenson used his length to birdie the four par-5s to shoot 6-under Thursday and take the first-round lead in Event No. 3 of the PGA Tournament Series at PGA Golf Club.

Sorenson, who is tied for 19th with five career PGA Tournament Series wins, leads by a shot over Daniel Iceman of Shelbyville, Ky. Sorenson had eight birdies and two bogeys on the Wanamaker Course.

“The par-5s are all fairly gettable, as long as you hit the ball in the fairway,” said Sorenson, the PGA Teaching Professional at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.

“But the key to the round for me was the (par-3) fourth hole, where I hit it into a bunker. It was a tough shot, but I hit it to 14 feet and made the par putt. That was huge.”

Sorenson birdied the next three holes and added another at his closing hole to move ahead of Iceman.

Iceman, a PGA Assistant Professional at Weissinger Hills Golf Club, had six birdies, an eagle at the par-5 16th (where he made a 30-footer) and three bogeys. This is his first year of playing in the PGA Tournament Series.

“I hit it really good and made a few putts,” Iceman said. “The course was getable today because it was pretty calm. Hopefully, I can make some more putts and see what happens.”

Danny Balin, who has a win and a T2 in the first two PGA Tournament Series events, is tied for third place at 68 with Frank Bensel of Jupiter. Ryan Vermeer is alone in fifth at 69.

The winner of the 36-hole event receives $5,000.

The PGA Tournament Series is presented by Golf Advisor.