Baycurrent Classic: Max Greyserman shares PGA Tour tournament lead as he attempts to bounce back from last year’s heartbreak | Golf news
Max Greyserman shot an opening round 67 to share first place at the PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic in Japan after tee times were moved up to avoid potential impacts from a typhoon.
Greyserman was three under at the turn, then made a 40-foot birdie putt at the 11th to take the lead. He made bogey at the 12th but bounced back with a 19-foot birdie at the 15th to finish at four under alongside Bud Cauley and Brian Campbell.
The American, who plays in the first group at Yokohama Country Club, said conditions were difficult but he was proud of his efforts as he tries to put the heartbreak of last year behind him.
In the final round of last year’s event, Greyserman held the lead over the final nine holes, but lost on the 72nd hole when Nico Echavarria holed his approach and made birdie to win by one.
“It was a solid round. Very, very difficult conditions and lots of wind,” Greyserman said.
“I think overall I played well. Just keep doing what I’m doing. I’m very happy with how the day went. Obviously it always could have been better, but in these tough conditions I’ll take it any day.
“I love playing in Japan. It’s a great culture, respectful people, respectful fans. In the United States I don’t usually get applause when I hit from 30 feet, and here I do.
“I feel like they view golf as an art form or trying to learn, especially when I’m on the range and I see people trying to imitate my swing, whereas in the United States it’s more of an entertainment product.
“It’s fun to be here. Good food too, I’m not going to complain.”
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Greyserman, 30, is seeking his first PGA Tour victory after losing to Aldrich Potgieter in the Rocket Classic play-off earlier this year.
Speaking about his memories of the Baycurrent Current last year, he said: “We all fought really hard, we were all close.
“My biggest memory is being in the lead and Nico birdied 16 and 18, so I didn’t like that too much. I felt like maybe I was going to win that one, but Nico did it that week, so maybe I can do it this week.”
Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard shot an opening round 68 to tie for fourth place, with Swede Alex Noren a stroke further back, while Rasmus Hojgaard carded a one-over 72 and defending champion Echavarria shot a round of 70.
American Ryder Cup duo Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa both opened with level par 71s, but England’s Matt Wallace struggled to a three-over 74.
Watch the Baycurrent at Yokohama this week with coverage starting Friday at 4am, live on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and more contract-free with NOW.
