Ames grabs early lead in Morocco

Canadian Stephen Ames shot a 9-under-par 63 on Thursday to take a fourstroke lead after the first round of the Morocco Champions in Marrakech. Ames eagled the 579-yard par-5 fifth hole and carded eight birdies and one bogey at the Samanah Golf Club. This is the first PGA Tour-sanctioned stroke-play event to be contested on the continent of Africa. The 55-yearold Ames, of Vancouver, tied a course record set by England’s Daniel Brooks during the 2009 Samanah Masters. Ames’ lone Champions victory came at the 2017 Mitsubishi Electric Classic. Four of the tour’s biggest stars are tied for second place at 5 under, including Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, Germany’s Bernhard Langer and South Africa’s Retief Goosen. Defending Charles Schwab Cup winner and 2019 Player of the Year Scott Mccarron is tied for 28th at 1 under.