Matti Schmid fires a stunning 64 to kick off the PGA Tour event in Mexico. Other German players also post strong rounds.
Germany’s Matti Schmid delivered a flawless performance on Thursday afternoon at the World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA Tour. Playing at El Cardonal Golf Course in Mexico, Schmid carded an impressive 8-under-par 64, his best round since May and second-best of the season. Fellow Germans Thomas Rosenmüller (68) and Jeremy Paul (69) also impressed with sub-70 rounds, while Stephan Jäger stayed in contention with a 71. The early lead is shared by American Nick Dunlap and Finland’s Sami Valimaki, both shooting 61 to tie the course record. Final standings are pending as the last two groups were unable to finish due to darkness.
Matti Schmid starts strong at World Wide Technology Championship
Schmid wasted no time asserting himself, opening with a birdie on the par-5 1st after reaching the green in two. He added birdies on the challenging 4th and the 6th to go 3-under on the front nine. The back nine saw even more fireworks: after pars on 10 and 11, Schmid birdied the 12th and followed with three consecutive birdies on 13, 14, and 15. A final birdie on the 18th capped off a sensational round of 64 (-8), placing him in a tie for third and in prime position heading into the weekend.
Thomas Rosenmüller also impressed in his PGA Tour debut. Starting on the back nine, he birdied the 10th and 14th, overcame a bogey on 15, and added another birdie on 18. He played the front nine at even par and closed with a birdie to finish at 68 (-4).
Jeremy Paul had a similar day, starting cleanly on the back nine. He birdied the 13th, bogeyed the 14th, and added another birdie on 18. Carrying the momentum, he birdied the 1st and 6th on the front nine to post a 69 (-3).
Stephan Jäger struggled early with a bogey on the 14th but rebounded with birdies on 17 and 18. A bogey and birdie on the front nine resulted in a 71 (-1).
Course record and darkness delay final results
Nick Dunlap and Sami Valimaki both delivered dream rounds, each shooting a bogey-free 61 (-11) to tie the course record. Dunlap, 21, highlighted his round with a chip-in eagle on the 18th. “Everything clicked today,” he said. “I hit every fairway and gave myself a lot of chances to attack the pins.” Conditions were ideal with little wind and smooth greens.
Due to fading light, the final two groups were unable to complete their rounds. Among those still on the course are David Ford at 6-under through 17 and Will Chandler at 5-under through 15.