DALLAS — James Hahn fired a bogey free six-under 64 to take a share of the lead with fellow American Ricky Barnes after the first round of the USPGA Tour’s Byron Nelson Tournament Thursday.
Hahn, who is seeking his third win on the Tour, tallied six birdies with no bogeys at the Four Seasons Resort course.
Matt Kuchar, Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela, Jason Kokrak and Cameron Tringale are two strokes back after carding 66s.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, Bud Cauley, Brooks Koepka, John Huh, Sean O’Hair, Ryan Armour and Peter Malnati were tied for seventh after shooting 67s.
Scores in the afternoon averaged more than two strokes higher than the morning group, as winds swirled around the Texas course.
Hahn, whose last win was at the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship, found the fairway on 12 of 14 chances and hit all but one green in regulation.
“It’s playing tough out there,” Hahn said. “You know, once you start counting up your strokes in the middle of the round it’s kind of when things go haywire.”
Barnes, the 2002 US Amateur champion, went on an up-and-down ride, as his scorecard featured eight birdies and two bogeys.
Johnson two-putted from 90 feet on the 18th hole to stay a part of his group.
“I felt like I hit a lot of good shots and ended up in really bad spots due to the wind conditions blowing really hard and it’s gusty, which made it tough,” Johnson said.
World No. 6 Jordan Spieth and fourth-ranked Jason Day of Australia headlined a list of 12 players at 68.
Thompson takes early lead
Lexi Thompson shot a six-under 65 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Thompson is holding her slim lead over fellow Americans Gerina Piller, Brittany Lincicome and Angel Ying.
Thompson began her round on the back nine and was even at the halfway mark. She started to gain momentum by hitting a birdie on No. 1 (her 10th hole) and put together a stretch of six birdies in seven holes.
“The second nine was pretty crazy,” Thompson said.
Thompson hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation. She only missed hitting the green on No. 12.
Lydia Ko, who has held the top ranking for 82 straight weeks, finished with a 67 and is tied for fifth with Sarah Jane Smith and Italian Giulia Molinaro.
Ko carded five birdies and one bogey in the opening round while watching a few putts roll just past the hole.
“Obviously, that’s a really good start to the week,” Ko said. “I am just going to try and give myself as many opportunities and I can. I don’t think I was hitting the ball fantastic, so there is a little bit of improvement to do there.”
Piller, who was in the same group with Thompson, had six birdies and a bogey.
“It’s always good to get off to that kind of start and get comfortable,” Piller said. “The greens are rolling phenomenal. The course is in the best shape I’ve ever seen it. Just happy to be under par and looking forward to tomorrow.”
Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand shot a 72. — Agencies
