Kizzire shoots 62, leads by 2 in Mexico

Patton Kizzire posted a career-best 9-under-par 62 to grab a two-stroke lead over Vaughn Taylor after one round of the OHL Classic at Maykoba at El Camaleon Golf Club in Play del Carmen, Mexico.

Kizzire, whose tie for fourth last week in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas was his best result in more than a year, collected six straight birdies through the 13th hole and 10 overall, before driving into a bunker and carding his only bogey on the final hole.

“I’ve been playing well recently, and really all year,” said Kizzire, who only two pro victories came in the Utah Championship and the New Sentinel Open on the Web.com Tour in 2015.

“Just getting everything to click in the same day is the key. Hit the ball well and then seem to not putt well, and then I’ll put well and seem to not hit it well. But today, I put it all together.”

Kizzire’s previous best score was a 63 last year in Las Vegas.

Taylor, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, holed his third shot for eagle at No. 3 and birdied three of his last four holes in a 64, while 10th-ranked Rickie Fowler, playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup at the end of September, birdied three of his last five holes in a 65 to tie for third with Brandon Harkins, who made four birdies down the stretch.

Keith Mitchell started on the par-3 10th hole and made a hole in one with a 6-iron on his first shot to kick-start a 66 and is tied for fifth with Retief Goosen of South Africa, Fabian Gomez of Argentina, Zinjun Zhang of China, Austin Cook and Martin Piller.

Defending champion Pat Perez of San Diego opened with a 67 and is in a tie for 11th that includes Ricky Barnes of Stockton, Kevin Chappell of Fresno and UCLA, John Huh of Los Angeles and Cal State Northridge and Patrick Rodgers of Stanford.

For complete results, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.

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