May 21, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Taylor Moore with his caddie Brian Hughs after finishing his round on the ninth green during the first round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026; McKinney, Texas, USA; Taylor Moore with his caddie Brian Hughs after finishing his round on the ninth green during the first round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Professional golfer Taylor Moore just set a new personal standard at TPC Craig Ranch. His opening-round 62 secured the lead while a surging Brooks Koepka sits just one stroke back.
Koepka and Sweden's Jesper Svensson sit tied for second place. Moore had not played many events recently, which made his strong round even more surprising.
"Obviously pretty stoked," Moore said after his round. "I've only played a couple times in the last few weeks, so it was good to get in a rhythm early. 2-under after three, I got into a good rhythm. I was really excited."
Moore started on the 10th hole, making four birdies on the back nine before adding five more on the front nine. That included a 14-foot putt at the par-5 ninth to complete the bogey-free card.
"I think my distance control coming into the greens," Moore said. "I was really pleased with the iron shots I hit."
Moore’s approach play stayed consistent throughout the round, including shots to 5 feet on the par-4 10th and 4 feet on the par-4 second, along with birdie chances on both back-nine par-3s.
He has made 8 of 10 cuts this season and sits 73rd in the FedEx Cup standings after finishing 100th in 2025. His best result this year was a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic in February.
The patience, he said, has been the thing holding everything together. "I think I've been pretty pleased and really just trying to stay patient," Moore said. "You know how it is, got to put four rounds together. So just really building toward that."
Brooks Koepka's Putter and What A Win Would Actually Mean for Him
The biggest change was his putting. Using a new Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5, his fourth putter of the 2026 season, Koepka ranked fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting during Round 1.
"Finally, I felt good with the putter," Koepka said. "I felt good the last few days with it when I was working in my studio."
A win this week would earn Koepka a spot in the Memorial through the "Aon Swing 5" or "Aon Next 10" pathways as he tries to improve on his current 69th-place position in the FedEx Cup standings after returning from LIV with limited playing privileges.
"I feel like I'm knocking on the door, and I'm very, very close," Koepka said. "I would love to have a chance on Sunday."
Round 2 begins on Friday at TPC Craig Ranch, with Taylor Moore in the lead and Koepka close behind.
Trending slideshow: Bryson DeChambeau’s High-Tech Golf Gear Obsession: Priciest Toys the LIV Golfer Buys
Aditi Singh
Bryson DeChambeau’s High-Tech Golf Gear Obsession: Priciest Toys the LIV Golfer BuysBryson DeChambeau has built a career around turning golf equipment into a science lab. The two-time US Open champion treats every club as a physics project, constantly modifying lofts, shafts, and head designs. He once said his goal was to “squeeze every inch of performance,” and his bag proves it. From One Length irons to long drive driver heads, Bryson’s gear obsession reflects a lavish commitment to technology that keeps evolving every season. James Marsh/Shutterstock/ImagoBryson’s most affordable upgrade was also one of his most influential choices. He adopted JumboMax XL grips in 2015 to support the upright setup required for his single-length irons. These oversized grips stabilized his hands and reduced excessive wrist action, helping him repeat the same motion through impact. The switch aligned with his ascent from amateur champion to PGA Tour winner and became a signature element of his equipment identity. JumboMax GripsBryson first shocked the golf world with Edel custom irons and wedges, all built to 37.5 inches, the length of a standard six iron. The matched setup allowed him to maintain an identical posture throughout the set. His US Amateur and NCAA titles highlighted the effectiveness of this approach. These irons were unconventional in appearance but became the foundation for his single plane mechanics that later shaped an entire retail movement. Aaron Doster/ImagoAfter signing with Cobra, Bryson worked directly with engineers to create the Cobra King Forged One Length irons. The R&D team built prototypes according to his measurements and testing patterns. Cobra later released the irons at retail, crediting his extensive collaboration. The set maintained the single-length concept but introduced refined forging and performance gapping, giving Bryson better consistency across long and short approaches during his early PGA Tour victories. Cobra GolfBryson’s move into an armlock setup in 2018 marked a decisive shift in his putting method. The SIK prototype featured Descending Loft Technology that was engineered to deliver a consistent launch regardless of impact variation. The putter supported his shoulder-driven stroke that minimized hand involvement. He won the Memorial Tournament using this model, proving the effectiveness of the design. The technology was later carried over when SIK was acquired by LA Golf. Aaron Doster/ImagoWhen Bryson became a free agent in 2023, he tested multiple brands before settling on Ping i230 irons paired with LA Golf Rebar shafts. He added Ping Glide 4.0 wedges in 46, 50 and 60 degrees, a notable change because he previously favored blade style wedges. The i230 set offered improved control in variable conditions while keeping his characteristic stability through impact. This represented his first significant departure from Cobra iron designs in seven years. PINGIn 2023, Bryson adopted the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver with a Project X HZRDUS T1100 shaft. He also replaced a traditional fairway wood with the BRNR Mini Driver set at ten degrees. The combination offered high ball speed with lower spin, reflecting his preference for strong lofted clubs. The adjustment aligned with his pursuit of increased control while retaining competitive distance, especially during periods when he alternated between different head shapes and setups. TaylorMade GolfBryson embraced long drive style construction when he moved into the Krank Formula Fire Pro LD driver set around five to six degrees. Krank uses hardened beta titanium with a carbon cup face that helps maintain stability at extreme swing speeds. He paired the driver with matching Krank fairway woods at low lofts to manage spin. FutureBryson advanced his iron technology again by working with LA Golf to develop proprietary prototype irons and shafts tailored to his launch and dispersion preferences. The models incorporate unique face geometry and weighting to support consistent ball flight at high speed. His collaboration influenced shaft development across his entire bag. The BAD prototypes reflect an expensive, custom-engineered system built specifically for his biomechanics and data-driven testing.
You may like: Top 10 Nike Golf Shoes Every Golfer Should ConsiderAdam Cairns-USA TODAY SportsThe most advanced gear in Bryson’s modern setup is the Avoda prototype 3D printed irons. These irons feature face bulging technology similar to driver design, allowing gear effect to correct off-center hits and tighten dispersion. The construction blends a traditional blade profile with highly engineered curvature. The innovation represents a rare leap in iron design and fits Bryson’s approach to continual experimentation. The prototypes are among the priciest and most technically complex irons in professional golf.
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