Sergio Garcia fired a seven-under-par 63 to jump into a share of the lead on Thursday at the ATT&T Byron Nelson. Jordan Spieth followed close behind in a tie for fourth, one shot back at the TPC Four Seasons par-70 layout.
Garcia started his round on the 10th and had an uninspiring first nine consisting of eight pars and a single birdie picked up at the 15th. He began well on the second loop, birdieing two of his first four holes. The Spaniard then sparked into action between the sixth and eighth, going birdie, eagle, birdie to climb to seven-under-par. A solid par at his last (ninth) saw El Nino come home in a superb 29 shots to push him into the lead alongside Danny Lee and Johnson Wagner.
American fans can be optimistic after Jordan Spieth used local knowledge to his advantage and carded 64. The 22-year-old started his round with three birdies on the front nine to turn at three-under-par before an eventful back nine unfolded. The world number two birdied three of his first five holes before adding another red number at the 16th. He dropped a shot the the 13th but went on to sign for six-under-par to enter the correct end of the leaderboard.
In terms of the seven South Africans in the field, Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel lead the charge at two-under-par while Trevor Immelman, Thomas Aiken, Tyrone van Aswegen, Louis Oosthuizen and Dawie van der Walt all needing to shoot low on Friday if they want to make the cut.
