Jones dazzles with course-record 61 to take 3-shot Honda Classic lead
Matt Jones turned in a brilliant performance Thursday at the Honda Classic, setting the course record at PGA National with a 9-under 61 in Round 1.
The 40-year-old Australian made nine birdies and no bogeys. He beat the field's first-round scoring average by over 10 strokes, the first time that's happened in an opening round since Brooks Koepka did so at the 2019 PGA Championship, according to ESPN's David Gordon.
"Could be the round of the year," Lee Westwood said of Jones' showing, according to ASAP Sports.
Jones was aided by slightly calmer conditions early in the day. The afternoon wave's scoring average at PGA National was 71.90 compared to 70.97 for the morning's tee times.
He leads Aaron Wise and Russell Henley by three and is five shots ahead of five players who are tied for fourth.
Here's how the top of the leaderboard stands after Round 1.
| Place | Player | To Par | R1 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Jones | -9 | 61 |
| T2 | Aaron Wise | -6 | 64 |
| T2 | Russell Henley | -6 | 64 |
| T4 | Scott Harrington | -4 | 66 |
| T4 | Kevin Chappell | -4 | 66 |
| T4 | Cameron Davis | -4 | 66 |
| T4 | Steve Stricker | -4 | 66 |
| T4 | Joseph Bramlett | -4 | 66 |
Defending champion Sungjae Im posted 68 to sit in a 12-way tie for 15th.
Notables Joaquin Niemann and Adam Scott shot 1-under. Westwood (even), Rickie Fowler (even), and Phil Mickelson (1-over) will need a solid round Friday to remain inside the cutline.
Round 2 of the Honda Classic begins at 7:25 a.m. ET.