Corey Connors, who qualified for the PGA Tour last year by finishing 20th on the Web.com money list, has jumped out to his first lead on PGA Tour after the first round of the Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. 

Connors, who played collegiately at Kent State University, used five birdies versus one bogey to shoot a 4-under par 67. Connors made more than 100 feet of putts on day one to take a one-shot lead. It is the 21st start for Connors on the PGA Tour. He has never been within the top 15 in an event to date after any round. His nine hole scores were 32-35. 

Other golfers with Ohio connections included Xavier alum Jason Kokrak who shot 72, along with Akron native Harold Varner Jr. who also shot 72. OSU grad Ryan Armour and Kent State alum MacKenzie Hughes finished at two-over par with 73’s. Memorial champion Jason Dufner who is a Cleveland native shot 74, while Garrettsville native Colt Knost who is coming off last year’s injured list struggled to a 74.

Read here to see the first round recap by Sean Martin of PGATour.com.