Eric Cole electrified the first round of the 2025 Sanderson Farms Championship with a stunning performance, firing a remarkable 7-under-par 65 at the Country Club of Jackson. His round included an impressive 10 birdies, a personal best that has catapulted him into a tie for the lead alongside fellow competitor Sam Ryder. Despite facing challenges that included a bogey and a double bogey, Cole’s strong putting and familiarity with the course were instrumental in his success.
The day didn’t start as planned for Cole, who found himself in trouble right off the tee with a bogey that came from a wayward drive into the rough. Later, he struggled again on the par-4 16th, where another misstep led to a double bogey after his drive veered off course. Yet, these misfortunes were overshadowed by his birdie barrage, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Cole’s putting game was nothing short of sensational, achieving a staggering 1.174 strokes gained on the greens, a dramatic leap from his season average of 0.158. “I putted well,” Cole reflected. “When I did seem to hit a bad shot, other than the couple squares on the card, I kind of got away with them and left myself in a decent spot. Putter was good. Scoring was good.” His ability to recover and capitalize on opportunities was pivotal, allowing him to maintain momentum throughout his round.
The 37-year-old, who has made a name for himself as the 2022-23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, credits his familiarity with the course for his stellar performance. After finishing 16th in the previous year’s tournament, Cole took valuable lessons from that experience. “For some reason, reading (the greens) I kind of struggled with in the past,” he admitted. “I remember last year I was really paying attention to a lot of the reads and kind of remembered them into this year.”
As the son of Laura Baugh, the former LPGA Rookie of the Year, Cole has golf in his blood and is keenly aware of the legacy he wishes to build. With aspirations of claiming his first PGA Tour victory, his ambitious goal is clear: “I’m trying to birdie every hole I’m playing, so to birdie more than half of them is great,” he said, embodying the determination and competitive spirit that define his approach to the game.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Cole as he seeks to convert this promising start into a breakthrough victory. His first-round performance not only captured the attention of fans but also set a high bar for the days to come, making it evident that he is a force to be reckoned with on the PGA Tour.
