PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Joe Durant's seven-under 64 Thursday gave him the first-round lead of the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Durant, gunning for his fifth PGA tour win, birdied the par-five first hole as well as the fourth, then parred his next six.
But he heated up after the turn, notching back-to-back birdies from the 16th to end in sole possession of the lead.
Grouped in second place at El Camaleon Golf Course were Briny Baird, Cameron Beckman, Jarrod Lyle and J.P. Hayes at six-under 65. Hayes fell into the second-place tie after bogeying the 18th hole.
"I would much rather have a good start than go in the opposite direction, that is for sure," said Durant. "I just felt comfortable out there today. Obviously, we have a long way to go but having a good first round can set a nice tone for you the rest of the week."
