David Lipsky plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta at Vidanta Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
David Lipsky has been around.
The 35-year-old has professional wins on the Asian Tour, the Sunshine Tour, the DP World Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour but not yet on the PGA Tour. Like Del Solar, Lipsky posted an opening 65, his scorecard featuring nine birdies. He did have three bogeys along the way but he did have five birdies over his closing six holes.
He says his hot putter was the key Thursday.
“I can’t remember the last time I made that many, that footage in putts in a given round,” he said. “Felt like I was due. I feel like I’ve been putting pretty nicely and sometimes they just drop for you.”
Lipsky made made 181 feet worth of putts and ranked first in Strokes Gained: Putting over the first 18 holes. That included a 33-footer for birdie on No. 15 and a 67-footer for birdie on the 17th hole.
Are you kidding?!@David_Lipsky from 67 feet 😲 pic.twitter.com/tuRjIxg9lO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 22, 2024
Henrik Nolander was also tied for the lead after the morning wave. He opened with a bogey but starting on No. 7 he had five birdies over his next 11 holes before closing with an eagle on the ninth. MJ Daffue joined the 6 under gang late in the day when he, too, posted a 65.