Anirban Lahiri. Pic: File
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, Nov 5: Anirban Lahiri got off to a good start with a 4-under 67 that placed him Tied-20th at the end of the opening round of the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. On a course that gave a lot of birdie chances, Lahiri looking for a fast start had four birdies on front nine and three more on the second nine of the course at El Camaleon. But he also dropped three shots all, between 12th and 17th.
Matthew Wolff, who loves hitting the driver, hit only one driver on Thursday, and kept the ball in play as he zipped around in 10-under 61 to match his career low on the PGA TOUR. It gave him a two-shot lead.
Aaron Wise had the better start, reaching 8 under through 10 holes but finished at 8-under 63. Chris Kirk opened his week with a 6-iron on the par-3 10th and holed it for a hole-in-one and he shot 7-under 64.
Lahiri is making his fourth start at Mayakoba. He birdied four times on third, fourth and seventh and eighth to turn in 4-under. When he birdied 10th, he was five-under, but dropped shots on 12th, 14th and 17th. He also added birdies on 13th and 15th.
Lahiri’s previous finishes here include a T-10 in 2018 and he was T-14 in 2017 and T-28 in 2016.
Viktor Hovland trying to become the first man to successfully defend the title at Mayakoba, also opened with 4-under 67.
Sergio Garcia and Talor Gooch had the low scores from the afternoon session and joined Kirk and Billy Horschel at 64.
Justin Thomas was 3 over through 11 holes and toward the bottom of the pack. He birdied six of his last seven holes for a 68.
Rickie Fowler also opened with a 66 along with Ian Poulter, who is trying to find his way back into the top 50 in the world. Tony Finau shot 67, while Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry had to settle for 71. John Huh also had a hole-in-one at No. 8 and shot 66.
