GOLF: Taylor Moore shoots 62 for early lead at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Taylor Moore birdied his final hole to card a bogey-free, 9-under-par 62 and take a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka in the first round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Thursday at TPC Craig Ranch.

Koepka fired a sterling 63, the lowest round of the morning wave, which included an eagle and six birdies. It took nearly the rest of the day for another player to surpass that, as Moore started his round with four birdies on the back nine and added five more on the front nine, including a 14-foot putt at the par-5 ninth hole.

Sweden’s Jesper Svensson shares second place with Koepka, who is seeking his first PGA Tour win since returning from LIV Golf.

A group of players also posted impressive scores of 7-under 64, including South Korea’s Si Woo Kim, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, Japan’s Kensei Hirata, Keith Mitchell, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Tyler Duncan.

Moore, 32, has had an average start to the season aside from a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic in February.

“I think I’ve been pretty pleased and really just trying to stay patient,” Moore said. “You know how it is, got to put four rounds together. So just really building toward that.”

Moore got off to a strong start when his approach on the par-4 10th hole landed five feet from the pin. He converted that birdie putt, birdied both par-3 holes on the back nine, and added an approach to four feet at the par-4 second.

“I think my distance control coming into the greens was key,” Moore said. “I was really pleased with the iron shots I hit.”

Koepka opened with three under over his first three holes, including an eagle at the par-5 12th after reaching the green in two. Koepka, who is trying a new putter this week, ranked 10th in the field in strokes gained putting.

“Winning would be a big confidence boost for sure because I feel like I’ve been playing well,” Koepka said. “The results just haven’t been there, mainly because of the putter. But I feel like I’m knocking on the door, and I’m very, very close. I would love to have a chance come Sunday.”

A high finish for Koepka would also secure entry to the next signature event, the Memorial, via the “Aon Swing 5” pathway. He currently sits 69th in the FedEx Cup race as he works to regain his standing on tour.

World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler posted a 5-under 66, the highest score in his group. Paired with Koepka and Kim for the first two rounds, Scheffler said staying patient was key.

“I felt like I was getting lapped out there for a little bit,” Scheffler said. “I was fortunate to make a couple birdies late and keep myself in the tournament. Overall, it was a fun group. We had good momentum the whole day.”

Like Moore, Scheffler enjoyed a bogey-free round. Last year, he dominated TPC Craig Ranch, winning by eight shots with a 31-under 253, tying the PGA Tour scoring record before a planned course renovation made the layout more challenging.

Hank Lebioda, 32, also impressed with a 6-under 65, recording two eagles on par-4 holes. He chipped in from the greenside rough on the short par-4 14th and holed out from 138 yards at the second hole.

“It was a special day. Not often you get one eagle, let alone two,” Lebioda said. “I was very fortunate to have that chip-in on 14 and then a great wedge on No. 2.”

-Field Level Media/Reuters