John Marshall Butler holds first-round lead at suspended Bupa Championship

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – John Marshall Butler holds sole possession of the lead midway through the first round of the Bupa Championship after carding an 8-under 64 at Club de Golf Mexico on Thursday. First-round play was suspended at 5:39 p.m. local time due to inclement weather and lightning in areas surrounding the course.

Butler started his round even through his first seven holes but played the last 11 at 8-under. After starting on No. 10, Butler capitalized on the par-5s, making eagle on Nos. 17, 2, and 6. In his second year as a professional, Butler has not finished outside the top 20 when he’s made the cut. The Auburn University alum has played the weekend in three of his four starts in 2025.

After missing the cut at the KIA Open, Butler responded with his best finish as a professional at the Diners Club Peru Open, where he finished T3. He jumped from No. 30 to No. 12 in the Fortinet Cup points list after his performance in Peru.

Due to the suspension of play, 66 players making up 22 groups are expected to resume first-round play in position at 7:00 a.m. local time on Friday. Second-round play is scheduled to start at 9:50 a.m. local time.

Charting the leader

About J.M. Butler (first/-8)

 

• Carded an 8-under 64 in the first round of the Bupa Championship to take sole possession of the clubhouse lead
• In nine events played in 2024, Butler made six cuts, highlighted by two top-25 finishes, including a T5 finish at the Times Colonist Victoria Open presented by Andrew Sheret Limited.
• Finished No. 80 in the 2024 Fortinet Cup standings, securing exempt membership for the 2025 Latin America Swing
• Played collegiately at Auburn (2020-24) and served as the team captain of the Tigers' 2024 National Championship team
• Was named Second Team All-SEC, PING All-Region and PING Honorable Mention All-America in his senior season at Auburn

Competition notes

 

Course setup: Par 72 / 7,349 yards; R1 average: 71.173*

Weather: Cloudy with a high of 84. Wind from the east at 2-8 mph with gusts up to 24 mph.

• J.M. Butler carded an 8-under 64 to take the lead of the Bupa Championship midway through the first round; Butler also carded three eagles, which leads the field.
• Twenty-two groups consisting of 66 players were unable to finish play Thursday due to lightning; first round play will resume at 7:00 a.m. on Friday.
• Three countries are represented in the top five and ties: United States (3), Norway (1) and Canada (1),
• A.J. Ewart is the low-Canadian midway through the first round after carding an opening round 6-under 66.
• Willy Pumarol (Dominican Republic) is the low-Latin after Thursday (-5/67).
• Hole 4 – the 468-yard par 4, is playing as the toughest hole midway through the first round (+0.302).