The first spherical for AT&T Byron (*60*) lived as much as expectations on Thursday as a course (and PGA Tour) scoring record was set and a handful of the sphere's high gamers challenged for the lead. after 18 holes. Sebastian Munoz set TPC Craig Ranch on fireplace early with a 60 (together with a bogey!) whereas Masters champions Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler each made runs on the high of the board later within the day when situations obtained rather a lot windier.
While the highest of the board is not horny (aside from one man we'll get to shortly), all the event is wanting nice over the following three days with somebody working away to the summit with a number of nice chasing champions.
This event has all the time been low-scoring no matter the place it takes place – from TPC Four Seasons to Trinity Forest and now TPC Craig Ranch – and the one factor that may change is a powerful wind over the following few days. Otherwise, the 59 is unquestionably in play, and with the standard of golfers in this space and a bit of decrease on this board, it is a very actual chance.
Let's check out Munoz's spherical and the remainder of spherical 1 on Thursday and what lies forward in spherical 2.
the chief
Sebastien Munoz (-12): Some individuals like 59s, however I favor 60s with a bogey like Munoz shot Thursday. It's the hipster's 59. More importantly, he set the course record, equaled the event record, and gave him a four-stroke benefit going into Round 2. It was additionally the second 60 or higher he had this season with the one other coming in spherical 1 of the RSM Classic the place he completed third. Incredibly on Thursday, Munoz was simply 2 below on the primary eight holes earlier than ending 10 below on his final 10. Here's what the map seemed like after that:
- #9: Eagle
- #ten: Birds
- #11: Birds
- #12: Eagle
- #13: Pair
- #14: Birds
- #15: Pair
- #16: Birds
- #17: Birds
- #18: Birds
“It's a great feeling every time everything clicks, hits the tee shots, the ball goes out the window you imagined,” Munoz mentioned. “…When every thing goes, simply keep away and let or not it's. So that is what I did. »
Golf… it is easy. Oh, and Munoz completed one thing on Thursday that has by no means been finished earlier than in PGA Tour historical past. Combined with his 60 at RSM, he turned the primary participant in PGA Tour historical past to shoot 60 or higher twice in the identical season.
different suitors
T2. Mito Pereira, Peter Malnati, KH Lee, Justin Lower (-8)
6. Kyle Wilshire (-7)
Lee is likely one of the greatest characters on the PGA Tour and the participant I used to be referring to when speaking about rating hotness. Here's the quote Lee, who received this event final yr the week earlier than the PGA Championship, is greatest recognized for (and with good purpose).
” The first one [goal] is to become the No. 1 golfer in the world,” Lee said. And the second is to become the No. 1 sexiest golfer in the world. ”
He shot 64 whereas enjoying with Scheffler and Spieth, which is as horny because it will get and has an opportunity to return again again to again regardless of only one high 10 in 26 begins since that win at TPC Craig Ranch. In 5 laps on this course, he's now 33 (!!) below par.
Master champions thrive
Speaking of Scheffler and Spieth, they pulled a mixed 10 below alongside Lee, which suggests this group had 18 below that day. Scheffler was his typical elite self (his 3.21 photographs gained had been really barely above his common for the yr to date), however Spieth is a way more curious case. He chases the hell off the ball – statistically in addition to he is kicked it off the tee in years – however each different a part of his sport is fairly common (particularly for him). It's onerous to know what to make of this, however it's turn into clear that if he can clear up his sport from fairway to holeshot, he will have a monstrous summer season. With three main championships on deck, that might imply an already elite resume will get even longer.
Another participant whose ending impressed me was Justin Thomas. He was 2 on his first even holes on a day when every thing within the 70s was fairly poor scoring, however he snatched 4 birdies and an eagle on his final 11 holes to work his means into the highest 25 after day one and keep within the hunt. There's no higher present in golf than when JT switches gears with his irons and hits six of his final 11 strategy photographs from 12 toes or much less.
Rick Gehman and Kyle Porter recap Thursday's motion on the AT&T Byron (*60*). Follow and take heed to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Statistics of the day
At the top of a season, the gathering of tips through which a participant wins no less than 10 strokes on the courtroom can usually be counted as one hand. Munoz completed that on Thursday by ending 10.21 higher than the courtroom common, and according to Justin Ray, it is the primary time this season that somebody has been 10 higher than the sphere. It's an unreal quantity that is each uncommon on the PGA Tour and doubtless would not get the credit score it ought to. The 60 could also be mocked as a result of it is a straightforward golf course – which it's – however you need to respect when somebody is 10 or extra higher than all the opposite greatest gamers on the earth.
Updated odds and picks
Here's a take a look at the brand new odds after 18 holes, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Sebastien Munoz: 3-1
- Scottie Scheffler: 8-1
- Myth Pereira: 12-1
- KH Lee: 14-1
- Justin Thomas: 14-1
- Dustin Johnson: 14-1
- Jordan Spieth: 16-1
- Hideki Matsuyama: 20-1
- Joachim Niemann: 22-1
- Seamus Power: 22-1
Scheffler will get all kinds of respect contemplating he and Spieth are each seven-pointers, and his chances are high half of Spieth's. It is deserved, however this quantity is way too brief. If you take a look at sturdiness alone, I do not assume Munoz is just too unhealthy at 3-1, however it's Lee I like at 14-1. He was second to Munoz in photographs received from tee to inexperienced on Thursday and clearly loves this golf course. I can simply see him succeeding this week even with no ton of momentum. Plus, Spieth at 16-1 is intriguing. If the putter will get scorching, put together the curtains.