Taylor Moore surged late on Thursday to card a bogey-free 9-under 62 and claim the opening-round lead at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
The American golfer secured the top spot after capping his round with a birdie putt on the par-5 ninth hole, displacing early leader Brooks Koepka.
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Moore remained grounded about his position with three rounds left to play.
"I don't think after the first day," said Moore, when asked if having a lead entering Friday changed his mindset.
"If I was tied for the lead or one shot lead or whatever, ton of golf left to play, especially here.
Got to stay with it."
Koepka, a five-time major champion using a new putter, had held the lead for several hours after posting a bogey-free 63.
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Jasper Svensson later tied Koepka for second place after recording four consecutive birdies on his front nine to finish with a 63.
Course Yields Record Eagles
The redesigned TPC Craig Ranch course produced a season-high 23 first-round eagles, including a 3 on the ninth hole by Lanto Griffin just 20 minutes before Moore made his final birdie.
A total of 12 players completed their opening 18 holes without recording a single bogey on the overhauled layout.
Players with bogey-free first rounds include Stephan Jaeger (64), Michael Thorbjornsen (64), Doug Ghim (65), Austin Eckroat (65), Scottie Scheffler (66), Neal Shipley (66), Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (66), Adrien Saddier (66), Beau Hossler (66), Jonathan Byrd (67), Rico Hoey (67), and Zecheng Dou (68).
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The second round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson is currently underway at TPC Craig Ranch.
