LAS VEGAS (AP) — After taking two weeks off following the Presidents Cup, Taylor Pendrith returned in top form, shooting a career-low 10-under 61 to grab a three-shot lead in the first round of the Shriners Children’s Open on Thursday.
Pendrith missed only one fairway and one green at TPC Summerlin, both on the same hole. On his ninth hole (the 18th), he pulled his tee shot, had to pitch out sideways, hit a wedge to 7 feet, and saved par.
The rest of his round was marked by long drives, sharp wedge play, and solid putting. The only blemish was his final hole, the par-5 ninth. With just 200 yards into the green, Pendrith was aiming for an eagle to shoot 59, but he came up short in a bunker and missed the birdie putt.
“I tried to be aggressive and hit a good shot, but just didn’t catch all of it,” Pendrith said. He settled for a par and missed tying the TPC Summerlin course record of 60, set by Rod Pampling in 2017.
Pendrith has shot a 61 before, at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship three years ago.
Among the early starters, Bud Cauley and Matti Schmid were part of a group of seven players tied at 7-under 64. Recent Black Desert Championship winner Matt McCarty, playing in the afternoon, struggled to a 1-over front nine.
Defending champion Tom Kim, who is aiming to become the first player since Steve Stricker to win the same PGA TOUR event three straight times, battled back from a rough start, turning at 1-over after being 3-over early in his round.
Former UNLV standout Ryan Moore carded a 65, while Rickie Fowler shot a 66, which felt much higher playing alongside Pendrith.
Schmid, who recently shot a 62 in Utah to finish fifth, moved from No. 120 to No. 105 in the FedExCup Fall standings. Securing a spot in the top 125 ensures a full PGA TOUR card for 2025, a goal Pendrith is familiar with.
Last year, Pendrith entered Las Vegas ranked No. 123 in the FedExCup standings and finished tied for third, securing his card for the next season. He went on to win the CJ CUP Byron Nelson in Dallas, earning his first PGA TOUR title and a spot in the TOUR Championship.
“I know how stressful this time of year is for a lot of guys,” Pendrith said. “But it feels different for me now that I’m already locked in for next season. I really enjoy playing here.”
Pendrith, who represented the International team at the Presidents Cup with a 2-3-0 record, planned to take a short break after the event. However, Hurricane Milton disrupted his practice plans in Florida, closing facilities. His coach joined him in Las Vegas early in the week for some extra preparation.
“I feel rested and excited to play,” Pendrith said. “I didn’t expect a 10-under round, I thought I’d be a bit rustier. But I’m thrilled and just need to keep finding my rhythm over the next few days.”
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