Trio share World Challenge lead
Zach Johnson, Paul Casey and Jimmy Walker all fired six-under-par 66s to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
World number one Jordan Spieth sits one stroke behind and in a tie for fourth with Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Bill Haas and Brooks Koepka who all carded five-under-par 67s.
Despite suffering a cut on the heel of his right foot while removing his swimming fins on Wednesday, world number eight Dustin Johnson managed to register a four-under-par 68, leaving him just two strokes adrift of the leaders.
Reining Open champion Zach Johnson got off to a slow start after taking the turn in level par, but the shifted his game to the next gear on the back nine as he started with consecutive birdies at the 10th and 11th before proceeding to make a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th to 17th.
Johnson had been penalised on the third hole for marking his ball off the green, but the penalty was rescinded later on as it was unclear where the putting surfaces ended on numerous greens.
Casey enjoyed a blemish-free round as he made two birdies on the front nine before and four more on the back nine, including a crucial one on the 18th, which brought him level with Johnson and Walker.
Walker had a mixed front nine which included two birdies and two bogeys, but worked his way back into contention and a share of the lead with six birdies on the back nine, four of which came in a row from the 14th to 17th.
Spieth meanwhile started his round superbly as he made a hole-in-one on the second hole before the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion registered three birdies to round off an excellent round.
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy in striking distance as he chases Canadian Open hat-trick
McIlroy two strokes off lead heading into final round alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.
-
NewsDale Whitnell takes four-shot lead into final round in Stockholm
The Englishman carded a round of 70 despite two double-bogeys.
-
NewsJustin Rose recalls ‘magical’ US Open triumph 10 years on
Rose won his first, and so far only, major title at Merion a decade ago.
-
NewsRory McIlroy boosts chances of third RBC Canadian Open title with flawless 67
McIlroy recorded five birdies at Oakdale Golf and Country Club to improve to six under par, three shots off the midway lead held by China’s Carl Yuan.
-
NewsEngland’s Dale Whitnell holds six-shot lead at Scandinavian Mixed
The 34-year-old will take a commanding lead into the weekend of the event which sees men and women compete against each other.
-
NewsGeorgia Hall hopes Ryann O’Toole relationship helps others be true to themselves
The relationship blossomed after the duo were paired in a tournament in 2022.
-
US Open5 major contenders for the 123rd US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick is bidding to join Brooks Koepka in winning back-to-back titles.
-
US OpenUS Open offers on-course respite from golf’s turbulent times
Matt Fitzpatrick will defend his title with many questions still hanging over the game’s future.
-
LIV GolfArchitect of golf’s surprise merger calls for people ‘to come together’
Jimmy Dunne said there is ‘too much divisiveness’ between the rival tours.
-
PGA TourMatt Fitzpatrick one off pace in Canadian Open ahead of title defence
England’s Aaron Rai shares the first-round lead in final event before US Open.