Honda Classic: Matt Jones three leads after matching course record with bogey without 61 at national PGA | Golf News

Matt Jones repaired 61 without a bogey to match Brian Harman’s course record at PGA National; Lee Westwood scored his last two holes to save the par-level 70 – watch live broadcast Friday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Golf.

Matt Jones put out a scintillating display in boring situations to unleash a three-shot lead after the opening round of the Honda Classic at the PGA Tour.

Australia equalized the course record by posting 61 no bogey at the PGA National, with nine birdies helping the world No 83 to move into a top advantage at the top of the board.

Russell Henley and Aaron Wise are his closest challenges after the duo signed for six under-64s seated in a second division, with Kevin Chappell finally finding a hole-eagle to join Scott Harrington in the fourth tied on four under.

US Ryder Cup captain Steve Striker, Joseph Bramlett and Cameron Davis of Australia were selected for the start of the evening as they carded a 66s opening round to stay within five of the directors, while Shane Lowry of Ireland start earlier in the day with three-under 67.

“I hit the ball well all day and this is probably one of the best ball hitting days in my magazines that I’ve been in for a long, long time,” Jones said after match the course schedule submitted by Brian Harman in 2012.

“I was so close to the hole very well. Usually that’s my weakness, but today it was my strength. I hit a lot of good shots and did the putts when I hit near. . “

Jones shook a 15-footer at the second and rose up and down from a green bunker to pick up a shot at the third par-three, before sending more birdies over the next two holes to turn them in 31st. reach.

The Australian Open champion doubled into a 15-footer at the 11th and sent another birdie from the six-footer at the 13th, with Jones then firing his way at the 16th to hit a tapping field. -in and yoke from off the 17th green to eight under for this walk.

Jones put a two-put birdie at the last par-five to close an unbiased card and set the clubhouse target, and none of the evening’s starters were able to get close to his score as it was. the winds strengthening around the form of a par-70.

Stricker made three birdies in a four-hole stretch on his back nine but missed six feet at the final for the fourth solo, while Bramlett jumped to four under with four birdies in the final five holes. aige.

Lowry followed up his eighth spot at The Players by mixing five birdies with two bogs to get to three under, with Zach Johnson recovering from two bogs in his first three holes to sit the ninth tied.

“Whenever you burn under par on this course you will be happy enough,” said Lowry. “The wind picked up very early today. Whatever Matt Jones does, I want to see because 61 out there is amazing. That’s just amazing. But I’m very happy with the 67. “

Last year’s champion Sungjae Im opened the title defense with two under-68s, and Lee Westwood – who was runner-up in the last two PGA Tour events – scored his last two holes to par-70 level. to save.

“Caught in there and definitely a good finish,” Westwood said. “It’s always nice to finish a birdie, a birdie around this place and I think 70 is a good start.

“It’s a little harder in the evening, when you look through the scores, and I think anyone would take under par. Not even par disappointment. So, yeah, something to pick up on for tomorrow morning. “

Watch the Honda Classic all week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage will continue on Friday from 11.30am on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Premier Sports.