Alexandre Rocha
What major history? » Rocha, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, is making his first major appearance. He closed the day with a 2-under 69. “My first tee shot out here was the 10th hole. … The only thing I could feel was my heartbeat go off my chest but nothing else.” He parred the hole.
Turning it around » After losing his European Tour card in 2009, the Brazilian joined the Japan Tour for 2010. Later that year, Rocha became just the second Brazilian — after Jaime Gonzalez in the early 1980s — to join the PGA Tour after passing Q-School. He has made five cuts in PGA Tour events this season, though his two best finishes were ties for 50th at some of the smaller tournaments. “I haven’t coped well under pressure on regular tour events, but for some reason I did it today.”
