Humana Challenge: day 1 report

Michael Putnam leads after day one of the Humana Challenge

Michael Putnam leads Humana Challenge
Michael Putnam leads Humana Challenge
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Michael Putnam of the USA leads by one stroke after the first round of the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation at La Quinta in California.

Michael Putnam of the USA leads by one stroke after the first round of the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation at La Quinta in California.

Scoring conditions were perfect and Putnam took full advantage, reeling off nine birdies with no dropped shots in a round of 63 on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West.

“The course is in perfect shape," Putnam said. "The greens are good. I made a lot of birdies at the end. Hit a lot of close shots, a lot of 5 and 10-foot putts. I made them all, so I’ve got to be happy about that."

Five players posted rounds of 64 to end the day one shot off the lead. Mark Wilson, Blake Adams and John Peterson posted their scores on the Nicklaus Course while Francesco Molinari shot 64 on the Arnold Palmer Course and Scott Pinckney returned the same number at La Quinta.

Defending champion Patrick Reed opened with a fine 65 at La Quinta and that score was matched by his playing partner, Matt Kuchar.

In his first competitive round since the Ryder Cup, a trim-looking Phil Mickelson fired a one-under-par 71.

“My body hasn’t felt this good in years,” said the 44-year-old.

England’s Brian Davis is the best placed Brit in the field. He carded a 67 over the Nicklaus Course. Scots, Martin Laird and Russell Knox carded 68 and 69 respectively while Paul Casey scored 70 and Luke Donald struggled to a 75.

Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation La Quinta, California Jan 22-25, purse $5,700,000 Round 1 scores

1    Michael Putnam (USA)            63 T2    Francesco Molinari (Ita)            64 T2    Mark Wilson (USA)            64     T2    Blake Adams (USA)            64 T2    John Peterson (USA)            64 T2    Scott Pinckney (USA)            64 T7    Patrick Reed (USA)            65 T7    Matt Kuchar (USA)            65 T7    Jason Kokrak (USA)            65 T7    Steve Wheatcroft (USA)            65

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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