PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA – Matt Jones took advantage of his 7:36am EDT tee-time and proceeded to tie a PGA National (Champion Course) record, shooting a career-low (61). He leads Aaron Wise and Honda Classic champion Russell Henley by three stokes after the opening round. Jones matched the record (61) by Brian Harman in at PGA National in 2012. The three-stroke opening round lead is the biggest first round lead since 1967.
Windy conditions challenged the field most of the morning and afternoon.
This is the 15th time The Honda Classic is being played at PGA National. In that time period, no first-round leader on this course has won the tournament. Across all courses for the Honda, the last first-round leader to win the Classic was Justin Leonard in 2003 at Mirasol.
Russell Henley opened with (64) to match his lowest 18-hole score in the event. He opened with (64) en route to winning The Honda Classic in 2014.
In bid to join Jack Nicklaus as players to successfully defend a Honda Classic title, Sungjae Im opened with (70).
PGA National features “The Bear Trap” at (Nos. 15-17) a stretch of land that ranks as the fourth-toughest three-hole stretch on Tour since 2007 (among courses played in at least 10 seasons, non-majors).
Honda Classic Tee Times today at 7:25am (EDT/local) through 2:21pm (EDT/local). (link)
Weather for Today: Friday weather calls for a chance of Showers and T-Storms, 50% chance of rain but windy again (15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph). Similar forecast for the weekend, with showers and windy conditions.
PGATourBrunch will be serving an early “BRUNCH” and posting at 8:00am EDT Saturday-Sunday.
Next Week: World Golf Championship – Dell Technologies Match Playand the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club in Dominican Republic.
Leaderboard After Round One at The Honda
Matt Jones 61 (-9)
Aaron Wise 64 (-6)
Russell Henley 64 (-6)
Five players 66 (-4)