Jon Rahm took last week off because he felt is swing got a little out of whack playing in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in the wind on the massive Plantation Course at Kapalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
His sweet swing seems to be back on track.
The 23-year-old from Spain collected an eagle and four birdies on the first seven holes en route to a career-best 10-under-par 62 at La Quinta Country Club to take a one-stroke lead over Austin Cook, Jason Kokrak and Andrew Landry after one round of the CareerBuilder Challenge.
“I got off to a great start on those first six holes and any time you do that, you start thinking about 59 or 60, because it’s been done around here before,” said Rahm, who has risen to No. 3 in the World Golf Rankings in his second full season as a pro. “I hit great shots on 1 and 2, and then had the eagle putt at No. 4
“I wasn’t nervous, but I was excited and was able to keep it going. I know these courses because I played them in college (Arizona State). I lipped out a couple of putts or it could have been lower, but I was happy to make another birdie on No. 18 that was great for momentum.
“I played well today and hope I can start out the same way tomorrow.”
Landry, who earned his 2018 PGA Tour card this season by finishing fourth on the 2017 Web.com Tour priority list, started on the 10th hole at La Quinta, and had five birdies and an eagle on the back nine on his way to a 63.
Kokrak, also playing at La Quinta, had three eagles and a birdie on his last five holes while finishing with a 63, and Cook matched that score with seven birdies and an eagle on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West in La Quinta.
Beau Hossler of Rancho Santa Margarita had seven eagles and a birdie in his 64 and is tied for fifth with Aaron Wise of Lake Elsinore and Brandon Hawkins, all at La Quinta, and Martin Piller, who played the Nicklaus Course.
Nick Watney of Davis and Fresno State posted a 65 on the Stadium Course at PGA West and is tied for ninth with Grayson Murray, who played the same course. Wesley Bryan, Taylor Gooch and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela carded the same score on the Nicklaus Course, and Brian Harman put up his 65 on the Nicklaus Course.
Defending champion Hudson Swafford is tied for 15th with at 66 at La Quinta, while Phil Mickelson, who won the tournament twice when it was known as the Bob Hope Classic, is tied for 88th, also at 70.
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