Qualifier Peter Kuest shares PGA Tour lead in Detroit
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Peter Kuest during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club in Michigan, on June 29, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – Peter Kuest had planned to go fishing, but the Monday qualifier ended up with nine birdies in an eight-under 64 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with Taylor Moore at the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Kuest, who earned his tournament berth only at the last minute, got off to a blazing start at Detroit Golf Club with six birdies in the first nine holes.
He followed a bogey at the 12th with three more birdies and held the clubhouse lead until Moore grabbed four birdies in a late five-hole stretch to join him.
“We did it all pretty well,” said Kuest, who is ranked 789th in the world and trying to become the first Monday qualifier to win a PGA Tour title since Corey Conners at the Texas Open in 2021.
“We chipped one in on the front, hit a bunch of fairways, hit a bunch of greens, rolled a couple putts in. Just kept it simple.”
Asked what he would have been doing had he not made it through qualifying, he added: “Probably fishing back in Utah.”
Moore, who won his first PGA Tour title at the Valspar Championship in March, had eight birdies and a chance to tie the course record and take the solo lead at the 18th, where he could not get his 15-foot birdie putt to drop.
“I got off to a better start today and drove the ball pretty good on my front nine,” he said.
“Got into a good rhythm, and obviously the putter got a little bit hot on the back nine, which was cool to see.
“Very pleased with the start.”
The duo were one stroke clear of a group of seven players on 65.
That bunch included Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg, who had a chance to impress playing alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
He was nine under after seven birdies and a chip-in for eagle at the seventh, his 16th hole, but finished with back-to-back bogeys.
“Right now it’s a little bit disappointing, but when I get some perspective on it I think I’ll be pretty OK with that round,” said the 23-year-old, who turned professional earlier in June.
He was joined by England’s Aaron Rai and Americans Sam Ryder, Sam Bennett, Dylan Wu, Justin Suh and Adam Schenk.
Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa headlined a trio on 66, but on a low-scoring day defending champion Tony Finau settled for a 72 that included four birdies and four bogeys.
Max Homa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No. 9, carded a 69 while former Major champions Hideki Matsuyama (75) and Justin Thomas (76) are in danger of missing the cut. AFP
