England's Smith starts well at Baycurrent Classic as Bridgeman leads

Jordan Smith one shot off lead at Yokohama Country Club after bogey-free 64; pacesetter Jacob Bridgeman looking for second win in as many starts; defending champion Xander Schauffele one under after up-and-down day, watch second round from 4am Friday on Sky Sports Golf

England's Jordan Smith enjoyed a strong start to the Baycurrent Classic with a bogey-free, seven-under 64 leaving him one shot behind first-round leader Jacob Bridgeman in Japan.

Smith, who has made 17 of 23 cuts and recorded eight top-25 finishes with a best of third at the Valspar Championship since earning a PGA Tour card for 2026, registered four birdies on his front nine and three coming home at Yokohama Country Club.

The 33-year-old said: "I'm very happy. I wouldn't say I had my best stuff out there today but there was a lot of good short game shots, a lot of good putting. It was just a nice day out there."

On his season as a whole, after securing a tour card based on his DP World Tour performances in 2025, Smith added: "Everything's very new - new faces, new places, new golf courses.

"To adapt to that quickly, I'm very happy with that. I've enjoyed it a lot, it's been good fun."

Source: Sky Sports