Former Clemson standout Carson Young is feeling right at home at the inaugural Colonial Life Charity Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour—and for good reason. The South Carolina native opened with a stellar 65 in Round 1 at The Woodcreek Club in Elgin, South Carolina, and credits a deep sense of familiarity with the course for his strong start.

"I got off to a hot start early, which was nice," Young said. "Made a couple birdies in the first couple holes and that kind of got me going." His performance was powered by exceptional play on the par-5s and sharp putting, allowing him to capitalize on scoring chances. "My birdie flow was great, especially on the par-5s. I made one from about 10 feet and had some good looks. It's nice to take advantage of those."

But Young's comfort level goes beyond a single round. More than a decade ago, he won at Woodcreek as an amateur during a South Carolina Junior Golf Association event—a memory that still fuels his confidence today. "It was such a long time ago, I don't remember a whole lot," Young laughed. "But I do remember the final stretch. I edged out a couple of guys and remember birdieing 17. That was one of my better years of golf in general. I won a lot that year."

Returning to a course where he's already tasted victory gives the former Clemson Tiger a unique edge as a professional. "It's cool to come back to a course that I've won at," Young said. "I feel like I've never really done that as a professional. Even though it's changed a little bit, it's still pretty much the same course. I've got good history here."

That history has simplified his approach, allowing him to focus on the game rather than learning a new layout. For golf fans and aspiring players alike, Young's story is a reminder that confidence often comes from the places where we've already found success—and that a little local knowledge can go a long way on the road to the PGA Tour.