Chris Kirk, No. 110 in FEC points, shoots 63 to lead World Wide Technology Championship

LOS CABOS, Mexico — Chris Kirk dominated Thursday with a flawless 9-under 63, giving him a one-stroke lead after the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship. The Texas native, ranked 110th in the FedExCup Fall standings, has just three tournaments remaining to secure a full card for 2027. His impressive performance at El Cardonal at Diamante, a Tiger Woods-designed course on the southern tip of Baja California, included putting birdie on every hole except the par-3 second, where he missed his tee shot to the right but still made par after pitching.

Kirk's only notable mistake was on the 156-yard 16th hole when he hit a "little bit of a chunk pull," setting up an unlikely birdie on the 70-foot putt over the ridge. Kirk remained humble about his round, stating, "Just go day by day, shot by shot. I know how cliche that sounds, but there’s not really anything I can do to control like where I finish on a points list.

The only thing that I have somewhat of control over is just how I approach each day and how I look at each shot. Just trying to keep it as simple as that."