Texas Children's Houston Open

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The Loop

Maggert benefiting from Vijay's bad back

March 18, 2010

Jeff Maggert arrived at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., as an alternate. But he might wind up leaving with his biggest paycheck on the PGA Tour in some time.

With Vijay Singh withdrawing before the start of the first round of the Transitions Championship because of a bad back, Maggert got the opportunity to tee it up. The veteran took advantage, birdieing his opening hole and shooting a four-under 67 on the Copperhead Course Thursday.

It's still early, but Maggert currently sits in a second-place tie, two shots back of Garrett Willis. What makes his round more surprising than his sudden entry into the tournament is the fact that he's missed the cut in four of his previous five appearances at this event.

After losing his tour card following the 2009 season, Maggert was runner-up to Troy Merritt at Q School in December to regain full playing privileges for this year. He's coming off his best performance thus far in 2010, a T-12 at the Puerto Rico Open, which wrapped up on Monday.

--Alex Myers