Roberto Castro fired a sparkling 10-under-par 62 to seize control of the Sanderson Farms Championship PGA Tour event.
The Texan reeled off a flawless round with 10 birdies and no bogeys to take a two-shot first round lead from Australia’s Aaron Baddeley and Bryce Molder of the United States, who both carded eight-under-par 64s on a low-scoring day at the Country of Club of Jackson in Mississippi.
Canada’s Adam Hadwin and Brian Davis of England were a further shot back on seven under after shooting 65s as the field revelled in soft conditions to tame the 7,354-yard layout.
Five players — Andres Romero, Graham DeLaet, Jhonattan Vegas, Andrew Loupe and Michael Kim — were tied for sixth, four shots off the pace after signing for 66.
“I’ve been playing well for a couple of weeks … I just didn’t get any good results out of it, so hopefully trying to turn the corner here,” a satisfied Castro said after his round, a competitive tournament record for the course.
Castro said the increasingly competitive state of men’s golf meant that fast starts to tournaments were ever more important.
“I don’t think you can get off to too fast a start or start making birdies soon enough most weeks on this tour,” Castro said.
“I used to think you kind of work your way into the tournament.”