Rafael Compos shot an eight-under 64 in front of his home fans on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open.
The 27-year-old Compos had eight birdies in a bogey-free round at windy Coco Beach. He made four straight birdies on holes nine to 12, added another on the par-five 15th and parred the final three holes.
“I hit the ball very well. I kept the ball in play, which was the main goal today,” Compos said.
Photo: AFP
He is the first Puerto Rican to lead a PGA Tour event since the 1979 Tallahassee Open, when Chi Chi Rodriguez was tied for the 54-hole lead and went on to win his eighth and final title.
George McNeill, the 2012 winner, was a stroke back. He had six birdies in a seven-hole stretch and closed with a bogey on the par-four ninth.
“I was hitting it really nice and I felt good about the way I was swinging it,” McNeill said.
Compos and Dicky Pride are the only players to play in all nine editions of the event.
“I do rely on the information I have had in the past years,” Compos said. “Nine years, that is a lot.”
Defending champion Alex Cejka was at 66 along with Aaron Baddeley, Frank Lickliter and Will MacKenzie.
Baddeley eagled the 15th and closed with two birdies.
English stars Luke Donald and Ian Poulter are playing after failing to qualify for the Match Play event in Texas. Donald opened with a 69, while Poulter shot 71.
Poulter is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 67 in the world.
“I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens,” Donald said. “Would have liked to have finished a little stronger, missed a couple putts coming in, but otherwise I feel like I am swinging well and giving myself lots of good chances.”
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