Greensboro, North Carolina … Rafa Cabrera-Bello’s persistence for an invitation reaped an immediate Wyndham Championship reward.

The Spaniard, competing in the event for a second occasion in three years, was four under par through eight holes and then raced to six under when he hit his 183-yard second shot at the par five fifth hole, or the 14th of his round, to just seven feet and rolled-in the eagle putt.

Cabrera-Bello then ended his round sinking a 21-foot birdie gem for his seven under par 63 in hot but ideal scoring conditions on day one of the event at the Sedgefield County Club here in Greensboro.

But it was all thanks to Wydnham Championship Tournament Director, Mark Brazil.

Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello has Wyndham TD Mark Brazil to thank for a start in this week’s PGA Tour event.

“I very pleased with my round and very thankful to be here,,” he said.

“I asked Mark (Brazil) a couple months ago when I saw him at the Masters for an invite.  I told him:  ‘Mark, there is a very good chance that I may need to bother you for an invite’ and he said, ‘Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.’

“Then maybe a couple months ago I asked him, ‘Hey, I’m really going to commit if you still have the invite.’ He said, ‘Yes” and it was my pleasure to be here’.

“So he was grateful enough to give it to me so obviously want to thank him for that and it’s just — it was a long flight from Rio to here.

“Last week was big adrenaline week. It was the first time I was really playing — not playing for myself, just playing for my country and obviously it’s a huge honour but also big responsibility and I wanted to do good and I was pleased with my result.

Wyndham Championship Tournament Director, Mark Brazil.

“Obviously, I would have wanted to win a medal but given how it turned out it was a very good week and coming into this week, I felt the game was good, just needed a bit of rest. I’ve had a couple days rest and today was continuation of the good feelings of yesterday. I just struggled a bit off the tee in a couple holes. Missed a few drivers in a row but besides that, it’s been pretty solid. Gave myself lots of chances.

“I also stayed away from trouble and putting was great today. Putting was very very good.”

The Grand Canaria-born Cabrera-Bello has won twice on the European Tour (2009 Austrian Open & 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic) and while he’s been a consistent performer in Europe, this year is by far the most eye-catching for the 32-year old.

To date, he’s had six top-10s on the European Tour that included 5th in last week’s Olympic Games so much so the Spaniard is headed to his first Ryder Cup.

However to be assured of making Darren Clarke’s team Cabrera-Bello’s entered next week’s Made in Denmark event, and the final Ryder Cup counting event.

But then if he does well enough this week, Cabrera-Bello will change that plan while a win would earn him the prize of a full PGA Tour card.

“I haven’t decided exactly yet if I’m going to play next week or not,” he said.#

“At the moment I’m with intention of going, especially if needed. If a great week came in this week then I would reconsider but I haven’t decided yet.”