The SAS Championship is the regular-season finale on the PGA Tour Champions, one last chance for those on the bubble to try to get into the top 72 in points to make the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs.
One golfer who can swing freely this week is Retief Goosen. He started the week fifth in points and has inched up to fourth after an opening-round 7-under 65 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina.
Goosen closed strong with a birdie at 15, an eagle at 17 and a birdie at 18. Yep, that's 4 under on his last four holes to snag a one-shot lead over Richard Green and two over Tag Ridings.
Goosen has one win in 2026 along with two seconds, two thirds and 17 top-25s
in 20 starts. A win this week wouldn't slot him any higher than fourth, behind Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Steven Alker, who are all taking the week off.
Goosen credited his approach game for his low scoring in Round 1.
"I hit a lot of good iron shots today for a change. I've been hitting everything so far away from the hole, had no chances, and today I probably hit four, five shots within five feet. That makes it a little easier," he said.
Weather is expected to roll in Saturday and everyone is bracing for it.
"We played this course before in some bad weather, so I sort of expect, know what's coming," Goosen said. "It's going to be just a 180-degree turn tomorrow. Just going to warm up and adjust, that's all we can do."
Who's up, who's down in Charles Schwab Cup projected standings
Last 5 in after 18 holes at the SAS Championship (previous position)
- No. 68 Mike Weir (68)
- No. 69 Kenny Perry (69)
- No. 70 Shane Bertsch (70)
- No. 71 Mathew Goggin (74)
- No. 72 Heath Slocum (71)
First 5 out after 18 holes at the SAS Championship (previous position)
- No. 73 Harrison Frazar (72)
- No. 74 Kirk Triplett (76)
- No. 75 Tom Pernice Jr. (75)
- No. 76 Fred Couples (73)
- No. 77 Jeff Maggert (77)
Heath Slocum is the Friday "bubble boy" after sliding down one spot.
Todd Kelly is an assistant managing editor at Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Retief Goosen leads SAS Championship with others chasing Schwab playoffs
