Danny Lee produced his equal best score on the PGA Tour to be the outright leader at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico overnight with a score of 62 that could easily have been a 59.
The El Cameleon Golf Course cancelled the opening day due to torrential rain and the first round today was played under preferred lies but that didn’t stop Lee who did most of his damage on the front nine, posting a 7-under 29, which tied his career-low nine-hole score. Lee made a birdie on the first hole, and then after a pair of pars, his putter warmed up.
He played Nos. 4-8 in 6 under, including an eagle at the par-5 fifth hole. That streak is the longest birdie-eagle streak in the tournament’s 13-year history. It was shades of 2014 for Lee when he strung together seven birdies in a row on the front nine in the fourth round.
He followed that with birdies as 11 and 12 before he missed a 5-metre putt for birdie at 14 which ended up being his only bogey for the day. He then had four pars heading back to the clubhouse.
Speaking after his round, Lee wasn’t entirely surer what was the catalyst for such a great round.
“Something about this course that just suits my eye very well,” said Lee.
“I can read the breaks very well and I putted very well today. I had a hot front nine and I shot 29 on the front.
“That really gave me the good momentum to finish at 9 under first round.”
“I never shot that score out on the PGA Tour before, so I really wanted to make that happen.
“On 14, I had a three per cent downhill, less than 15-footer for birdie. Just one of those days I felt like I can make anything.
“I just gave a little too much extra and hit it through the break and missed the next one coming back.
“I was a little bit bummed out on that one,” he said. “But still, nine under is a great start.”
The El Cameleon course has always been a favourite of Lee’s after being the runner-up last year and he finished tied for third in 2014. But this year his form all started from his visit to South Korea where at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges he finished runner-up to Justin Thomas.
“For some reason, it started from Korea. My game felt really really good.
“I changed my swing a little bit to gain distance off the tee a little bit and I really feel like this new swing is moving into my body now.
“Feel very comfortable with all my clubs and with my wedges and I think it’s been showing me a lot of good results.”
Lee has a one-shot lead over Brendon Todd and Adam Long both on 8 under.
