PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Will Gordon was annoyed with the best way he completed final week in Bermuda. He had no complaints about his begin Thursday at Mayakoba.
Gordon ran off 4 straight birdies to begin the again 9 on the El Camaleon course and completed with a 9-under 62 to take a one-shot lead over Russell Henley within the World Broad Expertise Championship.
Harris English took one other step again in his restoration from hip surgical procedure and was at 64, a part of a gaggle that included former British Open champion Francesco Molinari.
Additionally seeing constructive indicators was Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.
With out the No. 1 rating subsequent to his title for the primary time since March, Scheffler hit loads of iron photographs shut and transformed them right into a 65. Additionally at 65 was two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland, who performed alongside Scheffler in a balmy and sometimes breezy day on this Mexican resort.
Gordon had to return to the Korn Ferry Tour final 12 months to regain his PGA Tour card. He thought he was off to an inexpensive begin within the new season by making each reduce, after which he was 5 photographs behind going into the ultimate spherical in Bermuda final week. He performed the ultimate 4 holes in 4-over par and tied for thirty fifth.
“I simply had an up-and-down week in Bermuda,” Gordon mentioned. “Performed some actually good golf for in all probability 68 holes and had a tough end. So I did not have many expectations coming into this week. It is simply actually about managing my expectations and my feelings, so I really feel like I did job of that at the moment.”
The sector is robust for this time of the 12 months on the PGA Tour, particularly with the addition of Scheffler and two-time main champion Collin Morikawa (71), together with Hovland, going for his third straight win at Mayakoba.
The target for everybody is to maintain it within the mangrove-lined fairways, handle the wind and occasional bursts of showers, and reap the benefits of the comparatively flat greens.
This is perhaps simply need English wanted, particularly with the nice vibes of getting gained at Mayakoba in 2013 when he was simply getting began.
English capped off a two-win 12 months in 2021 by making a strong Ryder Cup debut. However then he had surgical procedure on his hip, which had been nagging him for years. After 5 months away, he returned on the Memorial and it has been gradual going.
“It is positively getting higher,” English mentioned. “I went by means of a number of rehab. However your expectations for coming again are a lot increased than they need to be. I am so aggressive and I need to be the combination so badly. You have to give your self time to heal and time to get your sport again.
“However I find it irresistible right here. I like the environment,” he mentioned. “I am excited concerning the subsequent few days.”
Scheffler soared to No. 1 on this planet when he gained 4 instances in six begins, capped off by the Masters. He misplaced in a playoff on the Colonial. He had shot at profitable the FedEx Cup till he did not convert on the ultimate gap.
However his sport feels a great distance from April, and Scheffler is enjoying three out of 4 weeks within the fall to attempt to construct some momentum. The largest takeaway from Thursday was signing a card with out bogeys.
“Clear card is sweet,” Scheffler mentioned. “Saved the ball in play for probably the most half at the moment.”
The exception was No. 3, his twelfth gap, when he put his tee shot into the hazard. He took a penalty drop and hit the following one to tap-in vary to flee with par. There have been a number of moments like that. Scheffler had six birdies and solely few anxious moments.
“Strong golf is enjoyable. Stress free,” Scheffler mentioned.
Work stays for Morikawa, who gained six instances — together with two majors — in his three years on tour. He’s operating out of time to get a win in 2022, and this would not seem like the week to finish that drought after 4 bogeys negated his 4 birdies.
Tony Finau was headed that course. He took triple bogey on his second gap by twice hitting into the hazard. He bogeyed the par-5 fifth. However he turned it round with six birdies the remainder of the best way and salvaged a 68.
