Shaun Norris opened the PGA Tour’s ZOZO Championship with a two-under-par 68 on Thursday to be in a share of 13th after the first round at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan.
Fresh from his victory in the Japan Open Golf Championship last week, Norris made it into the 78-man field headlined by local hero and Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama was not leading after the first round, but he was just one back from countryman Hiroshi Iwata who carded a seven-under-par 63 to open. Matsuyama shared second with Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, while Matt Wallace was in fourth on five-under.
Norris made four birdies and two bogeys in his opening round to share 13th with seven other players.
Erik van Rooyen was the next-best of the South African players in the field on one-under-par 69. Garrick Higgo carded a level-par 70, while Branden Grace had a two-over 72 to be in a share of 52nd.
