Matt Kuchar, Kramer Hickock, and Dominic Bozzelli each opened with a bogey-free round of 64 to secure a share of the first-round lead at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
Kuchar, the highest profile name of the trio, was the first man in the clubhouse with a 64, signing for a card with eight birdies, highlighted by a hat trick of birdies on Nos. 4, 5, and 6.
After a difficult season in 2018, the 40-year old American feels like his game is starting to come around, despite a T57 finish at last week’s Shriners event.
“I played very well. I’m pleased with my game. I felt like I played really well last week in Vegas, but just struggled to get the ball in the hole, struggled to execute on a few occasions,” said Kuchar.
“My couple practice rounds Tuesday, Wednesday felt really good, driving the ball well, which is really critical here. If you’re not driving it well, this course is extremely hard. If you’re driving it well, you can make some birdies, which I was able to do today.”
Hickock, meanwhile, produced two sets of three-in-a-rows (Nos. 7-9 and 12-14) en route to a best-day 7 under, while Bozzelli reeled off four-straight gains on Nos. 4-7 to make it a threesome atop the leaderboard in Mexico.
Patton Kizzire, the defending champion, headlined a logjam of 15 players just one off the pace at 6-under 65, one clear of last year’s runner up Rickie Fowler, who leads a group of another 11 players deadlocked at 5-under 66.
Jordan Spieth continued his struggles on Thursday, posting an even-par 71 which included four birdies offset by four bogeys. With the cut-line is projected at 1 under, the three-time major winner has some work to do on Friday.
2018 MAYAKOBA GOLF CLASSIC
TOP 5: ROUND ONE
1. Dominic Bozzelli -7
1. Matt Kuchar -7
1. Kramer Hickock -7
4. 15 Players tied -6
VIDEO: ROUND-ONE HIGHLIGHTS
