Last year’s runner-up Max Greyserman returned to the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the Baycurrent Classic on Thursday at Yokohama Country Club in Japan.
Greyserman, tied at 4-under 67 with fellow Americans Bud Cauley and Brian Campbell, showcased his skill in the PGA Tour’s only Japanese stop, narrowly missing out on victory last year when the event was held as the Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club.
Greyserman credited his enjoyment of playing in Japan to the culture, respectful fans, and cuisine. He turned at 3-under before sinking a 40-foot birdie putt at No. 11 to take the lead.
Although he dropped a shot at the 12th hole, he regained momentum with a 19-foot birdie at No. 15. Tee times were adjusted earlier to mitigate any impact from a typhoon in the North Pacific, a factor Greyserman said he was happy to navigate successfully.
Cauley posted a bogey-free round, securing birdies on both front-nine par-5s and adding two more on the back nine. He described the windy conditions as challenging but was pleased to avoid mistakes.
Campbell, on his first visit to Japan, produced a mixed but impressive round featuring five birdies, three bogeys, and an eagle from 83 yards at No. 8, praising the enthusiastic Japanese spectators.
Eight players, including Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, Australia’s Adam Scott, and Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, were just one stroke behind the leaders. Seven more, such as Sweden’s Alex Noren and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout, stood two shots back at 2-under.
Defending champion Nico Echavarria carded 1-under 70, finishing with four birdies and three bogeys.
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