Malnati made a blistering start at Golf Club of Houston with birdies at the first and second followed by an eagle at the fourth, where he made a 22-foot putt from the fringe. When he returned, Malnati added birdies at nine and 15 – where he drained a 24-footer – to top the leaderboard at 10-under. Malnati, who is planning to take the next five weeks off, said he had wondered whether he should tee it up in Houston with his wife expecting so soon. Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz was in the clubhouse on seven-under 137 after a 67, tied with Mark Hubbard who posted a 69. Austin Cook, who shared the first-round lead, was two-over through 15 holes but still just four shots off the pace.

Source: New Strait Times October 12, 2019 00:45 UTC