Whether you want to call it a late-night or early-morning start, the Baycurrent Classic has officially kicked off in Yokohama, Japan, and there was no shortage of action coming from the first round at Yokohama Country Club.
Jacob Bridgeman came out firing on Thursday, carding a bogey-free, 8-under 63 in his first round back since rolling in the winning putt for the US Team at the 2026 Presidents Cup.
The No. 1 putter in the world has continued his great form around the green, ranking first in Strokes Gained: Putting through the opening 18 holes.
For Englishman Jordan Smith, playing in Japan has become familiar during his time on the DP World Tour, and it was apparent on Thursday as he sits one stroke back after firing off a bogey-free, 7-under 64.
Pierceson Coody, Mac Meissner, Ricky Castillo and Max Homa share a tie for third at 6 under.
Five players sit three shots back at 5 under, including Keith Mitchell, Kristoffer Ventura, Michael Thorbjornsen, Andrew Putnam and David Lipsky.
Fellow Japanese countrymen and Presidents Cup playing partners Ryo Hisatsune and Hideki Matsuyama, who won the event in 2021, sit at 4 under, along with the International Team’s Min Woo Lee and U.S. Team’s Collin Morikawa.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele sits seven shots back after a first-round 1-under 70. Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, each making their fall debut, carded 72 and 73, respectively, to be T52 and T62 in the 72-man field with no 36-hole cut.
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