In a remarkable display, Australia's Cameron Percy took the golfing world by storm with a scintillating 10-under-par 62 during the opening round of the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, setting an early benchmark before play was suspended.
Percy's stellar performance at the El Cardonal course at Diamante, the first PGA Tour event venue designed by none other than Tiger Woods, left golf enthusiasts in awe. His incredible round featured a pitch shot that found the cup for an eagle on the 601-yard par-five sixth hole. Additionally, Percy carded eight birdies without a single blemish on his scorecard, a feat that propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.
However, as the sun dipped below the horizon, play was temporarily halted, leaving ten players with one or two holes yet to complete in their rounds. These competitors will have the opportunity to finish their rounds on Friday morning.
At the end of the first day's play, Percy, aged 49, finds himself in the leading position, with a two-stroke advantage over a talented chasing pack. Among those in pursuit are Americans Michael Kim and Nate Lashley, as well as Argentina's Tano Goya and Colombia's Camilo Villegas.
Reflecting on his outstanding performance, Percy modestly commented, "I hit the ball beautifully. Didn't hit it quite close enough coming in, but I had a few looks. I couldn't make them all."
Camilo Villegas, who shot a stellar eight-under 64 during the morning wave, shared the early lead with Goya. Lashley and Kim later matched the impressive score in the afternoon rounds.
Villegas, a four-time PGA Tour winner, last clinched a victory in 2014. Despite transitioning to a commentating role earlier this year, he has diligently worked on his game with new instructor Jose Campra, which evidently paid off. Villegas shared, "It's been a slow year from a performance point of view, but it's been a very hectic year from a working [one], so there's been a lot of work there. It's always nice to see a low score."
Adding to the intrigue, experienced golfer Matt Kuchar delivered a superb seven-under 65 performance, birdieing his final two holes to reach that score. He is tied with Cameron Young, the highest-ranked player in the field at 17th, and several others, including Germany's Matti Schmid. Kuchar, a previous champion of the tournament in 2018, showcased his enduring prowess on the greens.
Sahith Theegala, in his final official event of 2023, opened with a solid two-under 70, while Michael Block, a teaching professional who made a notable 15th place finish at the PGA Championship earlier in the year, started with an even-par 72.
As the World Wide Technology Championship unfolds, golf fans eagerly anticipate further exciting moments on the captivating course in Mexico. Cameron Percy's exceptional first-round performance has set the stage for a thrilling competition.
