CHIBA, Japan — Japanese golfer Hiroshi Iwata shot a 7-under 63 Thursday to take the first-round lead on the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship.
Iwata had a one-stroke lead over Joaquin Niemann and 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama on the par-70, 7,041-yard Narashino Nation Membership course.
Defending champion Patrick Cantlay is taking the remainder of the yr off and isn’t taking part in in what has turned out to be the one PGA match on the Asia swing. Solely three of the highest 20 on the earth are taking part in in Chiba.
Tokyo Olympics gold medal winner Xander Schauffele shot 70, as did Rickie Fowler, who’s taking part in on a sponsor’s exemption for the second straight yr.
British Open champion Collin Morikawa shot 71.
Tiger Woods gained his 82nd profession PGA Tour title at Narashino in 2019.
