During the first round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, Matt Wallace took the lead with an impressive 8-under 63, holding a one-shot advantage over seven other players. Among them was Taiga Semikawa, a 23-year-old from Japan who finished with a solid 64 after a three-putt par on the 18th hole. The round was suspended due to darkness with nine players still on the course.
Several players, including Taylor Pendrith, Alex Noren, Chesson Hadley, Jake Knapp, Davis Riley, and Kelly Kraft, were tied at 7 under, just one shot behind Wallace. Defending champion Jason Day and local favorite Jordan Spieth struggled down the stretch, both trailing by three shots after the first round.
Brad Hopfinger, making his PGA Tour debut, was two shots behind Wallace along with Ben Kohles, Alex Smalley, and Hayden Buckley. Wallace, who has had a challenging season with no top-10 finishes in 11 tournaments, started strong with five birdies in the first six holes, finishing with a bogey-free round.
The course conditions at TPC Craig Ranch were favorable for low scores, with rain delays and minimal wind expected throughout the tournament. Spieth, still seeking his first victory at the event, acknowledged that he needed to improve on the easier holes after a mixed performance in the first round.
Raul Pereda and Kris Kim had notable moments during the round, with Pereda acing the 236-yard seventh hole and Kim making his tour debut with a 68. Kim, who chipped in for eagle on the ninth hole, showcased a mix of birdies and bogeys in his round.
The tournament, sponsored by the South Korean company CJ Group, promises exciting competition as players aim to navigate the soft course and capitalize on scoring opportunities. With the forecast predicting continued rain, the players will need to adapt to the conditions and stay competitive as the tournament progresses.
