Sweden’s Robert Karlsson fired an eight under par 63 on Friday to seize a two-stroke lead after the storm-interrupted first round of the $US6 million ($A6.45 million) US PGA OHL Classic at Mayakoba.
Karlsson made nine birdies against a lone bogey for a two-shot lead after 18 holes in quest of the $US1.08 million ($A1.16 million) top prize at the Mexico event, the final full-field tournament until January for the US circuit.
“I feel pretty happy the way I am going,” Karlsson said.
Karlsson made the cut in only half of the 18 events he played last season but a share of 10th last week at the McGladrey Classic booked him a spot at Mayakoba and he made the most of the opportunity with a sizzling start after heavy showers disrupted play on Thursday.
Karlsson began on the back nine and birdied the 11th before his only bogey of the round at 12. He followed that with birdies at 13 and 14, then opened his second nine — the front side of the course — with three birdies, a par, and then three more birdies to seize the lead.
Americans Brian Stuard and Kevin Kisner each opened on 65 to share second with Colombian Jhonattan Vegas and Americans Pat Perez and Chris Stroud on 66.