SURREY, British Columbia – Jay Card III fired a course-record 6-under 64 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Fortinet Cup Championship at Morgan Creek Golf Course.

Card, who entered the week No. 5 on the season-long Fortinet Cup points list, made eight birdies — tied for the most on the day — to build a one-shot lead over Jack Lundin, Connor Creasy and Jared Wolfe, who each carded rounds of 5-under 65.

The top 10 players on the Fortinet Cup points list at the conclusion of the tournament will earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2026 season.

Hunter Wolcott, who began the week at No. 11 in the standings, is currently projected to move up to No. 8. Carson Bacha is projected to fall one spot to No. 11.

Card’s 2025 season includes a victory at the KIA Open in Quito, Ecuador — his first career win at a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event — as well as a runner-up finish at the Osprey Valley Open. A win this week would move him to No. 2 in the standings and make him just the second player, alongside Michael Brennan, to win multiple times on PGA TOUR Americas this season.

All players completed their opening rounds on Thursday. Second-round tee times are scheduled to run from 7:20 a.m. to 1:49 p.m. off Nos. 1 and 10.

Charting the leader

About Jay Card III (first/6-under)  

• Claimed his first win as a professional in his 53rd PGA TOUR-sanctioned start at the KIA Open during the 2025 Latin America Swing.
• Would move to No. 2 in the Fortinet Cup after entering the week at No. 5 if he were to win the Fortinet Cup Championship.
• Earned PGA TOUR Americas status through PGA TOUR Americas Mid-Season Q-School in 2024; made starts in all 10 2024 North America Swing events.
• Finished as the No. 80 player in the PGA TOUR Americas eligibility list at the end of the 2024 season to retain status for the 2025 Latin America Swing.
• Held status on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022-23, making 39 starts and 14 cuts in that span.
• First win came at the age of 30 years and 11 months in his 13th PGA TOUR Americas start.
• Has a close relationship with PGA TOUR member Steven Fisk, who was his “first friend” on the Korn Ferry Tour back in 2022; would often stay and travel with Fisk on the road during their time together on the Korn Ferry Tour.
  • Also had relationships with Isaiah Salinda, Kevin Velo, Taylor Dickson and Trace Crowe.
• Card played one semester of college golf, said his musical background and performance experience helped him improve and prepare for tournament golf.
• Knows how to play the flute, oboe and saxophone.
• Is a classically trained opera singer and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Vatican.

Competition notes

Course setup: par 70, 6,955 yards; Round 1 average: 70.097
Weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 16 (61). Wind from the south at 2-6 kmh with gusts up to 14 kmh.

• Jay Card III holds the first-round lead after breaking the course record at Morgan Creek, carding a 6-under 64 on Thursday.
  • Card entered the week at No. 5 in the Fortinet Cup, and would move to No. 2 with a win.
  • Card holds the 18-hole lead/co-lead for the second time this season (KIA Open).
• Fortinet Ambassador and Fortinet Cup No. 1 Michael Brennan is T5 after an opening-round 4-under 66.
• Hole No. 2, the 525-yard par 4, played as the toughest hole in the first round (+0.465 strokes over par).
• Nos. 12 and 13, the 319-yard par 4 and 562-yard par 5, played as the easiest holes in the first round (-0.316 strokes under par).
• Players made nine eagles and 390 birdies in the first round.
• The top 10 players in the season-long Fortinet Cup points list will earn Korn Ferry Tour cards for the 2026 season, while players in the top 80 will retain status for the start of the 2026 PGA TOUR Americas Season.