VALLARTA, Mexico — Karl Vilips used two long bridie streaks to take the first-round lead Thursday in the Mexico Open, the first of two straight PGA Tour events in the country.
Vilips shot a 9-under 62 in the afternoon round on the Vidanta Vallarta layout, making five straight birdies on Nos. 11-15 on his opening nine and finishing with four in a row. In between, he had another birdie and a bogey.
The 25-year-old Australian pointed to his driver.
"Had it on a string for the first nine," Vilips said. "Got a little loose in the middle and got it back on course toward the end of the round. It was lift, clean and place today so being in the fairway was a must for me and I took advantage of those drives that I hit."
Kensai Hirata of ***** an was a stroke back, and Ben Griffin was at 64 with Marco Penge, Garrick Higgo and Jeffrey Kang.
#first #nine #thursday
Vilips shot a 9-under 62 in the afternoon round on the Vidanta Vallarta layout, making five straight birdies on Nos. 11-15 on his opening nine and finishing with four in a row. In between, he had another birdie and a bogey.
The 25-year-old Australian pointed to his driver.
"Had it on a string for the first nine," Vilips said. "Got a little loose in the middle and got it back on course toward the end of the round. It was lift, clean and place today so being in the fairway was a must for me and I took advantage of those drives that I hit."
Kensai Hirata of ***** an was a stroke back, and Ben Griffin was at 64 with Marco Penge, Garrick Higgo and Jeffrey Kang.
#first #nine #thursday
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