Paul Casey two behind Scott Piercy in first round of Safeway Open
Friday 14 October 2016 09:34, UK
Paul Casey made a strong start to his 2016-17 PGA Tour campaign with an opening round of 64 at the Safeway Open.
Casey had eight birdies in a blemish-free round at the Silverado Resort and Spa's North Course to sit two shots off the early pace set by America's Scott Piercy.
On a day dominated by low scoring, Casey had four birdies on his front nine and moved to five under with another at the second - his 11th hole of the day.
But his round stagnated somewhat until the final three holes, all of which brought birdies to take him to eight under.
His 64 was eclipsed by only Piercy of the early starters, with the Nevada native making the most of superb conditions to card an incredible 12 birdies thanks to a red-hot putter.
Piercy went out in 30 with six shots picked up and he made six more birdies coming home, but his chances of a 59 to open the season were harmed by a pair of bogeys at the third and seventh.
His round was still good enough to break the course record and he said: "Oh man, I think I made more feet of putts than I did all last season.
"We've been working on the putter a lot and trying to get some things figured out. Today was a good start to the season, a good start to give me some confidence with the putter."
Patton Kizzire matched Casey in shooting 64 while Johnson Wagner and Kyle Stanley joined the fun with rounds of 65 to sit in a tie for fourth at the end of the morning group.
The spectacular opening day also included a hole-in-one for Spain's Jon Rahm at the 11th - his second hole of the day - and he sat alongside Troy Merritt on six under.
And even better came from late starter Morgan Hoffmann, who carded a rare albatross at the par-five 18th when he holed his 251-yard approach shot at the 575-yard closing hole.
