Ben Martin shattered the course record by two strokes with a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 that gave him a two-stroke lead over Andrew Svoboda after one round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.
The 26-year-old Martin, who won twice last year on the Web.com Tour to earn his PGA Tour card, played the front nine in 6-under 30 and added four birdies on the back, including a 55-foot chip-in on the 17th hole.
“That was as good as I’ve played since … I can’t remember when,” said Martin, whose 62 was his best score ever in competition and came on the heels of a tie for third last week in the RBC Heritage that equaled his best PGA Tour finish. “It was one of those days that you dream about.
“I think (the tie for third at Harbour Town) enables me to take it week by week and not put so much pressure on results, but focusing more on just the process and playing well each week, each day, each shot.”
Svoboda, who also won twice on the Web.com Tour last season, tied the old course record with his 64 earlier in the day when he holed a 12 1/2-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
It was the eighth 64 in tournament history, as Billy Horschel did it in the final round last year to claim the title.
Peter Hanson of Sweden birdied three consecutive holes through No. 5 while finishing on the front nine and then holed his second shot from 183 yards for an eagle on the sixth hole en route to a 65 and was tied for third with Seung-Yul Noh of South Korea, who carded five birdies on the back nine after starting at No. 10.
Erik Compton, a two-time heart transplant recipient, birdied two of his last three holes to shoot 66 and was tied for fifth with Chad Collins, who carded five birdies on the front nine, and Michael Thompson, who had six birdies on the back after starting at No. 10 and added two more on Nos. 7 and 8.
Horschel began his title defense with a 74 and was tied for 114th.
