Brendan Jones leads Hoag Classic with 7-under 64

Brendan Jones, a 50-year-old rookie from Australia, is leading the Hoag Classic after the first round. He started on hole 10 and made an impressive five birdies in his first six holes, finishing the round at 7-under 64. This is Jones's second start on the PGA TOUR Champions. He is looking for his first win in this league. His previous finish was 60th at the 2025 Cologuard Classic. Jones celebrated his 50th birthday on March 3, 2025. His score of 64 is also his best for an 18-hole round on the PGA TOUR Champions. Before this, his low was a 72 at the same Cologuard Classic earlier this year. This is the first time Jones has been in the lead after any round in the PGA TOUR Champions. In his prior attempts, the best he had achieved was tied for 51st. Jones earned his spot on the PGA TOUR Champions by finishing tied for third at the Q-School final stage in December 2024. Throughout his career, he has played 54 times on the PGA TOUR, achieving a best finish of tied for second in the 2005 B.C. Open. He has 15 victories on the Japan Golf Tour and ranks 11th in career earnings on that tour. In 2002, he was honored as the Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year.