Knox takes first-round lead in Mayakoba Golf Classic with 65
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Russell Knox shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday at breezy and wet El Camaleon Golf Club to take the firstround lead in the PGA
Tour’s
Mayakoba
Golf Classic.
The 35year-old Scot birdied five of the last six holes on his opening nine, then played the final nine in 1 under with a bogey on the par-4 second and birdies on the par-5 fifth and par-4 sixth.
“Took me a few holes to kind of settle into my round, but when I did, I had six or seven very good holes,” Knox said. “I hit the ball well, drove it in the fairway, and with lift, clean and place, I could be fairly aggressive. Par was good today.”
Joaquin Niemann was a stroke back with Emiliano Grillo and Tom Hoge. Niemann is donating his entire prize money and $5,000 for every birdie and $10,000 for an eagle to help pay for medical treatment for his 2-monthold relative in Chile.
“I’m playing for Rafita, that is one of my cousins that was diagnosed a couple days ago with a really rare disease,” Niemann said. “All the guys here on tour are being really nice, using the little ribbons we’re having to support Rafita. He’s fighting now in Chile, so we’ve got to work our way to help him.”
Defending champion Brendon Todd was at 67 with Tony Finau, Carlos Ortiz, Viktor Hovland, Aaron Wise, Nate Lashley, Akshay Bhatia and Michael Gligic.
Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka had a 71. Justin Thomas, at No. 3 the only player from the top 10 in the world in the field, shot 72.