Tom Hoge began the new PGA Tour season with his career-best finish and kept right on going Thursday with an 8-under 64 for the early lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Hoge, a runner-up last week at the Greenbrier, opened with three straight birdies and closed with a 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Country Club of Jackson. He had a one-shot lead over Robert Streb, Cameron Percy and Seamus Power among the early starters.
Thunderstorms suspended play in the afternoon.
Defending champion Cameron Champ looks around the ninth green as a weather warning is sounded during the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. Play was stopped. (AP PhotoRogelio V. Solis)
Joaquin Niemann, the 20-year-old from Chile coming off a six-shot victory at the Greenbrier, opened with a 68.
Hoge is winless in 134 career starts on the PGA Tour. He went through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals last month to get his PGA Tour card back.
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Defending champion Cameron Champ, right, and his caddie, protect his clubs on the ninth green as a weather warning is sounded during the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. Play was stopped. (AP PhotoRogelio V. Solis)
Zach Johnson watches his drive from the 18th tee in the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. (AP PhotoRogelio V. Solis)