Luke Donald has shot his way in front alongside Brandon Grace after a fine round of 66 leaves him at five-under par.
Donald got off to a good start as he is trying to win his first tournament since 2012. He carded back-to-back birdies on holes two and three which propelled him to the top end of the leaderboard. The Englishman also birdied the sixth but a bogey on eight meant he finished the front nine on two-under.
The British Masters host then went and birdied holes 11, 13 and 17 to take the clubhouse lead at the time.
Donald told the PGA Tour.com: “I played some really nice golf today.
“I kept it in play, I hit a lot of greens and made a lot of putts, It was just one of them rounds you wish you could have every day you know.
“It was nice to go out there and shoot a good so score in, not easy tough conditions, but there was enough wind up there to get you thinking.”
When asked did he have to learn the course again after the renovating works that took place last year. He Said: “Well, I specifically left my old yardage book at home this year because I knew there would be subtle differences and I didn’t want to rely on previous knowledge.
“For the most part, the greens are pretty similar but there is a tweak or there. The fifth hole is completely different and they have moved that green over.
“As a whole I don’t think the golf course has changed, just a few of the slopes on some of the greens have.”
