James Hahn kept things simple during Thursday’s windy first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson at the TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club.
Figuring par was a good score in the difficult conditions, he hit 12 of 14 fairways, reached all but one green in regulation, and avoided looking his scorecard.
“You know, once you start counting your strokes in the middle of the round, it’s kind of when things go haywire,” he said. “I did a good job of staying in the present, just making sure that I put myself in a position to at least make par.”
When Hahn finally glanced at his card, he noticed six birdies and no bogies. His 64 put him in a tie for first with Ricky Barnes.
With breezes strengthening later, Hahn and Barnes took advantage of their early tee times.
Barnes’ up-and-down round contrasted sharply with Hahn’s. Barnes posted eight birdies, including four in five holes on the front nine, and two bogeys. In his ninth appearance, his 64 beat his best score by two strokes.
“Almost birdied half of them and I had two looks coming in,” he said. “Very happy. I played solid, kept the hole in front of me. Distance control was very good. I think that’s what leads to birdies out here.”
