Horschel, Bramlett take early Honda lead
Billy Horschel has never won a PGA Tour event in his home state of Florida. His quest to change that is off to a fine start.
Horschel shot a fiveunder 65 on Thursday, tying him with Joseph Bramlett for the first-round lead in the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. Bramlett had a bogeyfree round; Horschel had six birdies and one bogey.
“Just played really solid,” Horschel said. “Didn’t do anything special. Hit some quality iron shots here and there. I wouldn’t say everything was sort of automatic and it was easy. I had to just sort of work my way into making some good swings here and there. But overall, it was a really solid day of golf.”
Horschel’s pre-Honda preparations included a trip to the doctor, finally giving in and getting a prescription after trying to fight off a sinus infection for a few days. He might have felt tired, but it didn’t show.
The 65 was his best score in 33 rounds as a pro at PGA National. He’d shot 66 on two previous occasions.
“Listen, there’s no secret,” said Horschel, who played his college golf at Florida. “It’s not a secret. I grind. I work hard . ... But this week with just the way I’m feeling and everything, energy’s still not completely 100% every day.”
Five share LPGA lead in Thailand
Jennifer Kupcho of the United States fired a bogeyfree seven-under 65 to share the lead alongside four other golfers after the opening round of the LPGA Thailand.
The crowded leaderboard was no surprise on the Pattaya Old Course: The average winning score over the last 10 years is 21 under par.
Kupcho’s round was highlighted by a birdie-birdie finish and an eagle on the par-five 10th hole at Siam Country Club.
Of her eagle, she said, “I hit a really good drive and had a pretty short club in. Still hybrid but pretty perfect club, and it hit just short of the green and rolled up really close to a tap-in.”
With her in the lead were 2014 champion Anna Nordquist of Sweden, sixtime USLPGA Tour winner Nasa Hataoko of Japan, local hope and tour rookie Jaravee Boonchant, and last year’s runner-up, Lin Xiyu of China.