Bridgeman's Fall Heater Continues: Bogey-Free 63 Grabs First-Round Lead at Baycurrent Classic

Jacob Bridgeman is making a habit of winning this fall, and he picked up right where he left off in Japan on Thursday. The 26-year-old American shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 at Yokohama Country Club to grab the first-round lead at the Baycurrent Classic, the PGA Tour's FedExCup Fall stop outside Tokyo. Bridgeman sits one stroke ahead of England's Jordan Smith and two clear of a trio — Ricky Castillo, Pierceson Coody and Mac Meissner — in the 72-man field. It is the continuation of a remarkable stretch. Bridgeman won the Biltmore Championship in Asheville last month, closing with a 61, and holed the clinching putt for the American team's comeback win at the Presidents Cup in Chicago shortly after. Thursday was his lowest opening round of the season by three shots. The PGA Tour's top-ranked putter this season proved why, rolling in a 47-footer at the 13th and a 29-footer at the second before making four straight birdies from closer range starting at the fifth. Bridgeman started on the back nine and made it look comfortable — though he insisted it was anything but. "I felt a little rusty to be honest, but I was able to score the ball well," he said. Defending champion Xander Schauffele headlines a field that also includes Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa and Adam Scott.