RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico - Chase Seifert got off to a quick start and closed Thursday with a birdie for 7-under 65 with Michael Kim and a portion of the Puerto Rico Open lead.
Trying to win for the first time on the PGA Tour, Seifert birdied at No. 2-5 at the Breezy Grand Reserve, bogeyed sixth, and added birdies at No. 9, 13, 16 and 18.
"Absolutely shocked," said Seifert. "We have amazing conditions. I came out of the gate really well. It gave my round a good start. ... ... Just kind of stress-free golf."
Kim had a bogey-free period. Since winning the John Deere Classic in 2018, he has made only 15 cuts in 75 starts on the PGA Tour, which includes a stretch of 25 consecutive events without coming on the weekend. He was ranked 75th in the world when he won and is now at number 1,030.
The event is being played in front of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida. The winner will get a two-year exemption and will go on to the PGA Championship, but will not be eligible for the Masters.
Ryan Brehm was a stroke back, and Kiradek Apibernrat and Aaron Badgley scored 67.
University of Oklahoma senior Chris Gottrup scored 68 on his first tour round. He won the Puerto Rico Classic collegiate event at Grand Reserve two weeks earlier.
Von Taylor was also ranked 68th with Ben Kohls, Nick Hardy, Patrick Flavin, Greg Chalmers, Peter Uehlen and Satoshi Kodaira. Puerto Rico native Rafa Campos scored 70 runs in his last two holes.
Kurt Kitayama, third last week at the Honda Classic, shot 76.