Taylor Moore carded a flawless, 9-under 62 to take the opening lead by one stroke at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
This was a new career low 18-hole score for Moore (previous: 63, most recent: 2024 Baycurrent Classic/R1) who holds his fourth 18-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour (most recent: 2024 Baycurrent Classic/finished T11).
“Obviously pretty stoked,” said Moore. “I’ve only played a couple times in the last few weeks, so it was good to get in a rhythm early. 2-under after three, I got into a good rhythm. I was really excited.
“I was really pleased with the iron shots I hit. Birdied a couple of par-3s as well. So I would say just distance control and overall iron play I thought was really good.”
The American’s best finish in ten prior starts this season was T2 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
“I’ve been pretty solid [this season], especially with how I finished last year. I was really pleased how I got off the first two weeks and just didn’t really capitalize on the finishes and then obviously didn’t play well at Cognizant. Kind of been one nine holes away from having a solid finish,” he added.
“I think I’ve been pretty pleased and really just trying to stay patient. You know how it is, got to put four rounds together. So just really building toward that.”
Brooks Koepka recorded a bogey-free 8-under 63, his first opening bogey-free round on Tour since the 2023 Masters (R2) and lies in a share of second place. 63 is one-stroke shy of his lowest opening-round score on Tour (62, most recent: 2020 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational).
“I think — we were just talking about it over here in one of the interviews. It was just a comfortable group. Everyone is just kind of feeding off each other, easy. Everyone’s having fun. Makes it enjoyable. I feel comfortable on the golf course as well,” said the American.
“Finally, I felt good with the putter. I felt good the last few days with it when I was working in my studio. Then when I got here, it felt very comfortable. Rick said the same thing from watching. Which also kind of helps build a little confidence, what you feel versus the reality of it. Just happy with the way everything went today.”
Koepka has had five top-25 finishes in ten starts this season (best: T9/Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches) and is making his 11th start since becoming eligible via the Returning Member Program, which allows players who have achieved levels of elite performance-based criteria an alternative path back to the PGA Tour.
Sweden’s Jesper Svensson is tied in second place having made nine birdies and one bogey for his own 63, one-stroke shy of his career-best on Tour (62/2025 Bank of Utah Championship/R4/finished T15). He has had one top-10 in nine starts this season (T8/Puerto Rico Open).
2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson winner and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States is seeking to become the first player since Tiger Woods to successfully defend their title after winning by eight strokes the year prior (2007 WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession). The 20-time PGA Tour winner has successfully defended his tittle three times on Tour (2023 WM Phoenix Open, 2024 The Players Championship, 2025 Memorial Tournament). He is currently T16 at 5-under having made five birdies for a bogey-free 66.
25 eagles were made in the first round, the most eagles in the first round on Tour this season (previous: 22/Sony Open in Hawaii/Waialae Country Club). Preferred lies were in effect.
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