David Lipsky set the first-round lead at the Procore Championship by shooting a 7-under-par 65 Thursday in Napa, Calif.
Lipsky birdied four of his final six holes at the Silverado Resort’s North Course, en route to a 5-under 32 on his back nine. That score held up throughout the day, and he led Scotland’s Martin Laird by one shot as the round wrapped up in California.
Tied for third at 5-under 67 were Mark Hubbard, Kevin Dougherty, Wilson Furr, Kevin Streelman and Joel Dahmen.
The Procore Championship is the first of eight events on the PGA Tour’s “FedEx Cup Fall” schedule, which will help determine players’ eligibility for the 2025 season. Players need to finish the fall in the top 125 in the standings in order to keep their tour card. Finishing between Nos. 126-150 gives players conditional status next year.
Lipsky needs all the help he can get, as he started the week No. 163 on the list.
After most of his birdie putts came from inside 10 feet Thursday, Lipsky drained a 12-footer at the par-5 18th to move to 7 under.
Hubbard has had a memorable week so far, not necessarily for the right reasons. He was fully qualified for the Procore Championship but forgot to register in time, then decided to attempt to play his way into the field via Monday qualifying.
He posted the best round of the day Monday to push his way into the field. Come Thursday, he racked up nine birdies with one bogey — and a triple bogey at the par-3 17th hole, where his tee shot found the water and he used five strokes just to get on the green.
Among notable names, Sahith Theegala and Tom Hoge opened with rounds of 3-under 69, Wyndham Clark posted a 2-under 70 and Max Homa shot a 1-under 71. Those four players are already secure for next season after finishing in the FedEx Cup top 50; Theegala and Homa are California natives who have combined to win the past three tournaments in Napa.
–Field Level Media
