NAPA, Calif. — Patton Kizzire hugged a tree on the best way to the primary tee Friday as a part of a psychological train, then patiently labored his method round Silverado to take the lead into the weekend within the FedExCup Fall sequence opener.
Working with a brand new psychological coach who has him embracing a extra relaxed and even strategy, Kizzire shot a 7-under 65 for a one-stroke benefit over David Lipsky within the Procore Championship.
Kizzire joked about among the issues his new psychological coach has him doing, like strolling round barefoot and hugging bushes.
“It’s been actually cool to only get organized and attempt to be extra playful on the market and be unflappable,” Kizzire mentioned.
Kizzire had seven birdies, six on the again 9, as he seeks his first victory on the PGA Tour since 2018.
“I didn’t have my finest stuff right this moment, particularly off the tee or into the inexperienced, however I putted effectively once more,” Kizzire mentioned. “My persistence within the psychological sport and my placing have actually saved me in it and allowed me to play rather well.”
Kizzire had a 13-under 131 whole on the picturesque course within the coronary heart of Napa Valley wine nation.
Lipsky, the first-round chief, had a 67 that included eight birdies, an eagle, three bogeys and a double bogey.
Patrick Fishburn was 11 below after a 65. He had six birdies and an eagle to beat a bogey on his seventeenth gap.
Matt Kuchar and J.J. Spaun have been 10 below. The 46-year-old Kuchar, who precipitated a little bit of controversy on the Wyndham Championship in August when he walked off the course due to darkness then returned the subsequent day to complete his last spherical, had 9 birdies and a bogey to tie for the perfect spherical of the day with a 64. Spaun shot 65.
Defending champion Sahith Theegala was 4 photographs again after a 66.
Kizzire bought off to a gradual begin and was sputtering off the tee and along with his strategy photographs earlier than heating up with six birdies on the again 9. He capped his afternoon with two lengthy putts, one from 28 ft and the opposite from 13.
“I may have gotten pissed off or talked a couple of unhealthy shot or frightened about, ‘Nicely why am I not hitting it like I need to?’” Kizzire mentioned. “I simply selected not to try this. I nonetheless didn’t play my finest on the again 9 however I capitalized at any time when I had a possibility and made a number of good putts.”
Lipsky was in fine condition after holing out for an eagle on No. 16. He hit a niche wedge along with his second shot that hit previous the flag, bounced then spun again within the gap.
After three consecutive birdies on the again 9 put him atop the leaderboard at 14 below, Lipsky picked up a penalty stroke when his tee shot on No. 8 sailed out-of-bounds.
“Just a little little bit of every thing however general I’m actually blissful,” Lipsky mentioned. “My sport plan was to nonetheless keep aggressive and never again off in any respect. That’s kind of what I did.”
Two-time match champion Max Homa didn’t make the reduce. Presidents Cup Worldwide group captain Mike Weir, 2020 match champ Stewart Cink and Wyndham Clark additionally dropped out.
