NAPA, Calif. — Patton Kizzire hugged a tree on the way in which to the primary tee Friday as a part of a psychological train, then patiently labored his means round Silverado to take the lead into the weekend within the FedExCup Fall sequence opener.
Working with a brand new psychological coach who has him embracing a extra relaxed and even strategy, Kizzire shot a 7-under 65 for a one-stroke benefit over David Lipsky within the Procore Championship.
Kizzire joked about a number of the issues his new psychological coach has him doing, like strolling round barefoot and hugging bushes.
“It’s been actually cool to simply get organized and attempt to be extra playful on the market and be unflappable,” Kizzire stated.
Kizzire had seven birdies, six on the again 9, as he seeks his first victory on the PGA Tour since 2018.
“I didn’t have my greatest stuff in the present day, particularly off the tee or into the inexperienced, however I putted properly once more,” Kizzire stated. “My endurance within the psychological sport and my placing have actually saved me in it and allowed me to play rather well.”
Kizzire had a 13-under 131 whole on the picturesque course within the coronary heart of Napa Valley wine nation.
Lipsky, the first-round chief, had a 67 that included eight birdies, an eagle, three bogeys and a double bogey.
Patrick Fishburn was 11 beneath after a 65. He had six birdies and an eagle to beat a bogey on his seventeenth gap.
Matt Kuchar and J.J. Spaun had been 10 beneath. The 46-year-old Kuchar, who precipitated a little bit of controversy on the Wyndham Championship in August when he walked off the course due to darkness then returned the subsequent day to complete his last spherical, had 9 birdies and a bogey to tie for the very best spherical of the day with a 64. Spaun shot 65.
Defending champion Sahith Theegala was 4 pictures again after a 66.
Kizzire received off to a gradual begin and was sputtering off the tee and along with his strategy pictures earlier than heating up with six birdies on the again 9. He capped his afternoon with two lengthy putts, one from 28 ft and the opposite from 13.
“I might have gotten pissed off or talked a few dangerous shot or fearful about, ‘Effectively why am I not hitting it like I need to?’” Kizzire stated. “I simply selected not to do this. I nonetheless didn’t play my greatest on the again 9 however I capitalized at any time when I had a possibility and made a couple of good putts.”
Lipsky was in fine condition after holing out for an eagle on No. 16. He hit a niche wedge along with his second shot that hit previous the flag, bounced then spun again within the gap.
After three consecutive birdies on the again 9 put him atop the leaderboard at 14 beneath, Lipsky picked up a penalty stroke when his tee shot on No. 8 sailed out-of-bounds.
“A bit little bit of the whole lot however total I’m actually completely happy,” Lipsky stated. “My sport plan was to nonetheless keep aggressive and never again off in any respect. That’s form of what I did.”
Two-time event champion Max Homa didn’t make the reduce. Presidents Cup Worldwide crew captain Mike Weir, 2020 event champ Stewart Cink and Wyndham Clark additionally dropped out.
