Zach Bauchou has career-low 62 and leads in Utah

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., was the first of the nine players to post a 63. He is at No. 59 in the FedEx Cup, among those who are hopeful of a good fall to finish among the top 60 and be eligible for signature events at Pebble Beach and Riviera.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 11th after a 7-under 64 day. A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C., was tied for seventh a shot back of Taylor, Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., was tied for 40th after shooting a 4-under 67.

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., had identical 1-under 70 rounds to sit in a tie for 81st.

Jackson Koivun took a while to get back to his Presidents Cup form. The 21-year-old who was unbeaten in his Presidents Cup debut last week. He had three straight bogeys and was 2 over for his round when Koivun had four birdies in his last five holes for a 69.

He still has work to do to make sure he sticks around for the weekend because of the low scoring on a beautiful day in southern Utah.

The average score was around 68.

Nick Taylor is still making big putts, as he did at Medinah last week for the International team. Taylor finished his round with a 50-foot eagle putt and was among the group of players at 64 that included Presidents Cup teammate Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Three players from the group at 63 are outside the top 100, including Kevin Streelman and Nick Dunlap. Streelman birdied six of his last eight holes.

Jordan Smith of England reached 63 in a most spectacular fashion. He holed a 30-foot birdie putt on the eighth, and then holed out his second shot from 238 yards on the par-5 ninth for an albatross.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever done it, so it was pretty special, and to end a round like that is even more special,” Smith said.

Defending champion Michael Brennan also opened with a 64. Brennan was headed to the Korn Ferry Tour a year ago when he received a sponsor exemption to Utah and won to earn a PGA Tour card. He returns as a two-time winner.

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The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

Zach Bauchou has career-low 62 and leads in Utah

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