Kuchar takes share of lead in Mexico

Matt Kuchar decided at the last minute to play the Mayakoba Golf Classic and made it look like a smart move Thursday.

Kuchar missed only two fairways at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, and kept bogeys off his card for a 7-under 64 that gave him a share of the lead with Dominic Bozzelli and PGA Tour rookie Kramer Hickok.

Kuchar, a Georgia Tech product, has gone more than four years since his last PGA Tour victory. His 64 was his lowest opening round on tour since a 64 in the 2017 Phoenix Open.

“It’s an amazing resort, Mayakoba. So to be able to bring the family to enjoy some vacation time, it’s a bit of a working vacation,” Kuchar said. “I had a good time at the office, as well.”

Most players did, with more than half of the 132man field in the 60s.

Jordan Spieth was not among them. Playing his second straight week in the fall — and his last tournament before his wedding — Spieth traded birdies and bogeys and had to settle for an even-par 71, leaving him in need to a good round today just to stick around for the weekend.

Among those in the large group at 65 was defending champion Patton Kizzire.

Champions: Paul Goydos and Tim Petrovic shot 8-under 63 to share the lead in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, leaving points leader Bernhard Langer seven strokes back in the senior tour’s season finale at Phoenix Country Club. Langer parred the final nine holes for a 70.

ODDS AND ENDS

NFL: Josh McCown is going from mentor to starter this week for New York. The 39-year-old quarterback will be under center Sunday against the Bills in place of injured rookie Sam Darnold, who’s sidelined with a strained right foot.

■ Wally Triplett, the trailblazing running back who was one of the first African-Americans drafted by an NFL team, has died. He was 92. The Lions and Penn State announced Triplett’s death Thursday.

MLB: Outfielder Mallex Smith is back with the Mariners as part of a five-player deal between Seattle and Tampa Bay that landed the Rays catcher Mike Zunino and outfielder Guillermo Heredia.