Reed Goes Low in Humana Challenge


In a tournament known for its low scores, Patrick Reed got started off on the right foot. The 23-year-old Texan fired a 9-under 63 on the Palmer Private course to take a one-stroke lead in the Humana Challenge.

The $5.7 million PGA Tour event began Thursday in La Quinta, Calif., on three courses, including Palmer, Nicklaus Private and La Quinta Country Club.

Reed, whose first tour win came in last year's Wyndham Championship, posted four birdies on the front nine and five more on the back for a one-stroke lead over Ryan Palmer (Palmer course), Jason Hicks and Daniel Summerhays (both Nicklaus) and Charley Hoffman (La Quinta CC).

"I felt like there were some things I could have improved on, but at the same time whenever you tap in for par on the last hole and shoot 63, you're pretty happy," Reed told PGATour.com.

Several players had 65s. At Palmer Private the group included Charlie Wi and Russell Knox; Nicklaus - Matt Every, Hudson Swafford and Brendon Todd; and La Quinta - Zach Johnson and Bill Haas.

Defending champion Brian Gay, who went 25-under last year and then won a sudden-death playoff against Charles Howell III and David Lingmerth, opened with a 69 on La Quinta.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.