Starting on No. 10, Australian rookie Brendan Jones birdied five of his first six holes en route to 7-under 64 and the first-round lead at the Hoag Classic.

Brendan Jones, 33-31 – 64 (-7)

• The 50-year-old seeks his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (second start)
  • Previous finish: T60 (2025 Cologuard Classic)
• Turned 50 on March 3, 2025
• This is his low 18-hole score on PGA TOUR Champions (fourth round)
  • Previous low: 72 (2025 Cologuard Classic, first round)
• This is his first time leading/co-leading after any round on PGA TOUR Champions
  • Previous best position after any round: T51 (2025 Cologuard Classic, first round)
• Earned 2025 PGA TOUR Champions status by finishing T3 at Q-School (Final Stage) in December 2024
• Made 54 starts on the PGA TOUR, including 28 during the 2005 season
• Best finish on the PGA TOUR: T2 (2005 B.C. Open)
• Won one event on the Korn Ferry Tour in 15 starts (2004 LaSalle Bank Open)
• Won 15 times on the Japan Golf Tour (T17 on that Tour’s all-time wins list)
• Ranks 11th in career earnings on the Japan Golf Tour
• Named Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year in 2002
• Most recent international win: 2023 New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport (PGA TOUR of Australasia)

Other notes

• Rookie Freddie Jacobson opened with bogey-free 6-under 65 and sits T2. The 50-year-old, who earned 2025 PGA TOUR Champions status by finishing second at Q-School (Final Stage) in December 2024, seeks his first win on the Champions Tour (fourth start).
  • Best finish: T10 (2024 Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS)
• 66-year-old Michael Allen bettered his age with bogey-free 6-under 65 and sits T2. He seeks his ninth win on PGA TOUR Champions (275th start).
  • Last win: 2016 Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge (with partner Woody Austin)
• Two-time Hoag Classic champion (2020, 2023) Ernie Els, the Charles Schwab Cup leader, is one of three players T4 at 5-under along with Alex Cejka and Steve Allan.
• Two-time Hoag Classic champion (2010, 2014) Fred Couples (T7) opened with 4-under 67.
• Defending champion Padraig Harrington sits T24 after shooting 2-under 69.
• Two-time Hoag Classic champion (2007, 2016) Jay Haas (T36) carded 1-under 70. The 71-year-old shot his age or better for the 27th time on PGA TOUR Champions.