Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ricardo Gonzalez share first-round lead at Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

Things to know

• Three-time champion Miguel Angel Jiménez and 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Rookie of the Year Ricardo Gonzalez share the first-round lead after each opening with 7-under 65.

Ricardo Gonzalez, 33-32 – 65 (-7)

• The 55-year-old seeks his second win on PGA TOUR Champions (37th start).
  • Last win: 2024 Trophy Hassan II
• This is his first time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions.
  • Previous best 18-hole position: T2 (two times; most recent: 2024 Stifel Charity Classic, finished T31st)
• Is making his debut at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai as one of three first-timers in the field
• Received 2024 PGA TOUR Champions Rookie of the Year Award – the Hale Irwin Award – on Tuesday night

Miguel Angel Jiménez, 33-32 – 65 (-7)

• The 61-year-old seeks his 14th win on PGA TOUR Champions (185th start).
  • Last win: 2022 Boeing Classic
• Would move him into T18 on the PGA TOUR Champions all-time wins list
• This is his 18th time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions.
  • Is 5-for-17 converting those into victories
• Seeks his fourth win at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai (11th start)
  • Previous wins: 2015, 2020, 2022
  • Currently tied with Bernhard Langer for the most wins in tournament history (3)

Other notes

• Alex Cejka opened with 6-under 66 and sits T3.
  • The 54-year-old seeks his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions (93rd start).
  • Last win: 2023 Senior Open Championship
• Stephen Ames sits T3 after shooting 6-under 66.
  • The 60-year-old seeks his 10th win on PGA TOUR Champions (222nd start) and his eighth win since the start of the 2023 season.
  • Last win: 2024 Boeing Classic
  • Ames’ seven wins over the past two seasons are tied for the most on PGA TOUR Champions (also: Steve Stricker).
• World Golf Hall of Fame members Ernie Els and Vijay Singh are among the players T5 at 5-under along with Hualalai first-timer Tim O’Neal.
• 71-year-old Jay Haas (T13) bettered his age with 3-under 69. This is his 24th time shooting his age or better on PGA TOUR Champions, including eight of his last 14 rounds.
• Defending champion and reigning PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year Steven Alker (T20) carded 2-under 70.
• Three-time champion Bernhard Langer (2009, 2014, 2017) and 2023 champion Steve Stricker are among the group T24 at 1-under.