Chandler Blanchet Leads Butterfield Bermuda Championship After Opening-Round 62

Chandler Blanchet Secures First-Round Lead at Port Royal Golf Course

Chandler Blanchet carded a 9-under 62 on Thursday at Port Royal Golf Course to claim the opening-round lead at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Blanchet constructed his round with two eagles, six birdies, and a single bogey in Southampton, Bermuda. He finished one stroke ahead of a crowded chasing pack that included Ben Kohles, Corey Conners, Ben Silverman, and Danny Walker.

Conditions early in the day favored low scoring before rain and wind threatened later rounds. Conners, Silverman, and Walker all posted bogey-free 63s to sit tied for second place at 8 under alongside Kohles. Jonathan Byrd shot a 6-under 30 on the front nine and sits two shots off the lead.

Ben Kohles Chases Full Exemption Status With New Putter

Kohles opened his tournament with an 8-under 63, extending a steady run of form during the FedExCup Fall season. He carded a career-best streak of six consecutive birdies on his front nine, starting at the par-4 fifth hole, with each putt coming from 5 feet or less. However, bogeys at Nos. 4, 12, and 16 kept him from sharing the overnight lead.

The 36-year-old sits at No. 80 in the FedExCup Fall standings after missing out on the Korn Ferry Tour playoff events to secure his PGA Tour card directly. Kohles previously struggled to find consistency until switching to a Scotty Cameron T9 model putter the week before winning the Korn Ferry Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am in June. That equipment change sparked a streak of ten consecutive tournaments with top-30 finishes.

Danny Walker and Jonathan Byrd Capitalize on Calm Morning Conditions

Walker posted a bogey-free 30 on his opening nine holes, aided by an eagle on the par-5 17th. Ben Kohles emphasized the importance of getting ahead of the game before stronger weekend winds arrive.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Jonathan Byrd used an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole to fuel a 6-under 30 on his front nine.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Butterfield Bermuda Championship

What is at stake for players in the FedExCup Fall standings?

Players finishing inside the top 100 of the FedExCup Fall standings secure their PGA Tour cards for 2027 under a higher exemption category that avoids the reshuffle faced by Korn Ferry Tour graduates. Five tournaments remain on the fall schedule for players trying to move up.

How did Chandler Blanchet secure his two eagles during the first round?

Blanchet rolled in a 5-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh hole and later holed a shot from just outside 50 feet on the par-5 17th after leaving his second shot to the right of the green.

What are the weather forecasts for the remainder of the tournament?

After benign conditions and minimal wind allowed players to post low scores during Thursday’s opening round, tournament competitors expect fiercer winds are forecast.