Corey Conners has never won on the PGA Tour, while Tiger Woods has claimed 79 victories. They both had good days in the first round of the Valspar Championship.
Conners, a 26-year-old rookie from Canada who is playing in his 21st event on the circuit, didn’t make his only bogey until the final hole while shooting 4-under-par 67 in breezy conditions to take a one-stroke lead over three players on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.
“I got off to a great start on the front nine, made some putts to get under par and kept it going on the back nine,” said Conners, who has never won as a pro and was second in the 2014 U.S. Amateur. “I hit a lot of good shots.
“I’ve had some good putting rounds lately. I’ve been working hard at it and fine-tuning things. It’s great to see the ball go in the hole. … I’ve been playing pretty well, but I need to perform a little better on the weekend.”
Woods is three shots back in a tie for eighth after a 70.
Nick Watney of Davis and Fresno State, who has won five times on the PGA Tour but not since the 2012 Barclays, sank a 20-foot eagle putt on the first hole on his way to a 68 and is tied for second with Whee Kim of South Korea, who sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the last hole, and Kelly Kraft, who made an eight-foot birdie putt while finishing on the ninth hole.
Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA champion, carded a 69 and is tied for fifth with Jimmy Walker, the 2016 PGA champion, and Russell Knox of Scotland.
Woods, playing in the tournament for the first time, collected five birdies in his 70 and is in a huge tie for eighth with fifth-ranked Justin Rose of England, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Scott of Australia, Sergio Garcia of Spain, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Stewart Cink, Rory Sabbatini of South Africa, Luke List, Luke Donald of England, Chris Kirk, Paul Casey of England, Blayne Barber, Bob Estes, Andrew Putnam of Pepperdine, Dominic Bozzelli and amateur Dylan Meyer.
“It was really brutal out there because of the wind,” said Woods, playing his fourth official event since his fourth back surgery. “Everybody in our group really got fooled a few times.
“ … I’m getting a little bit better, piece by piece, on all the things I’ve been implementing. I was really comfortable out there for most of the day.”
Defending champion Adam Hadwin of Canada is tied for 28th at 71, while fourth-ranked Jordan Spieth is tied for 122nd after struggling to a 76.
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