Williams happy to make cut in pro debut

Chris Williams made his pro debut at the Travelers Championship, continuing the long-standing tradition of successful college players and amateurs who chase a paycheck for the first time in Hartford.

The Washington grad admitted that even though it may not have been the best idea in the world, the cut line was certainly on his mind as he played his way down the stretch at TPC River Highlands. With the cut line ultimately falling at even par, but looking like it could be 1-under at times throughout the afternoon, Williams had some ground to cover after an opening 71 had him on the outside looking in.

An early bogey on the short par-3 11th (he started on the 10th) didn't help much for Williams. But he was a high-profile college player for a reason, and he responded with three birdies in the next seven holes to move to 1-under on the week and inside the desired number.

If nerves were in play at all, Williams didn't show it. He calmly made pars for the next nine consecutive holes, making sure he would have a Saturday tee time.

"I thought that 1-under was safe, but you never can be absolutely sure," Williams said. "But they told me in the scoring trailer, just now, that I should be fine."

And indeed he was.