Munoz leads RSM Classic after career round as records are equalled

Colombian Sebastian Munoz leads the way after the opening day at the RSM Classic in Georgia after carding a career round of 10-under 60 on Thursday.

Munoz landed eight birdies along with an eagle on the 15th hole on a day of low scoring at the event, which is played over both the Seaside and Plantation courses at Sea Island.

Zach Johnson, who like Munoz played his opening round on the par-70 Seaside course, is one stroke behind, while Mackenzie Hughes, Scott Stallings and Chez Reavie are also nine under after starting on the par-72 Plantation.

Munoz's round equalled Tommy Gainey's 2012 round record at Seaside, while Hughes, Stallings and Reavie also matched the Plantation course record with their 63s.

Johnson, who hit all 18 greens, said: "When you’ve got just absolute pure conditions weather-wise and pure conditions on the golf course — the best I’ve ever seen these two golf courses, period — you know you’ve got to get after it."

A further four players are tied at eight under in Russell Henley, Jhonattan Vegas, Talor Gooch and Corey Conners, with only the latter starting on Seaside.

Scottie Scheffler carded seven-under 63 at Seaside, working with Bubba Watson's long-time caddie Ted Scott for the first time.

Australian Cameron Smith, among the pre-event favourites, started with a six-under round at Seaside, while defending champion Robert Streb opened with a four-under day at Plantation.

A double bogey at the Plantation seventh hole meant Webb Simpson slipped off the pace after shooting a three-under-69, while Louis Oosthuizen had an unspectacular one-under opening round at Seaside.

Leaderboard after Round 1 @TheRSMClassic: 1. @JSMunozGolf (-10) T2. @MacHughesGolf (-9) T2. @StallingsGolf T2. @ZachJohnsonPGA T2. @ReavieChez T6. @RussHenleyGolf (-8) T6. @JhonattanVegas T6. @CoreConn T6. @TalorGooch T10. Eleven players tied (-7)

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 18, 2021