Rookie Hughes grabs PGA lead at Sea Island

Canada's Mackenzie Hughes, in only his ninth US PGA start, fired a nine-under-par 61 on Thursday to grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the RSM Classic.

The 287th-ranked player in the world, who turns 26 on Wednesday, reeled off nine birdies and nine pars to grab the lead at the par-70 Seaside course, which along with the par-72 Plantation course is used by each golfer over the first two rounds.

It was the lowest first round in tournament history and a career-low for the long-time developmental tour standout, who was one stroke off Tommy Gainey's 2012 course record.