Malnati leads in Bermuda after opening round

Peter Malnati carded an 8-under 63 at Port Royal Golf Course on Thursday to take an early one-shot lead at the Bermuda Championship.

Malnati finished the opening round with his ninth birdie of the day on No. 18, bouncing back from a bogey on the previous hole. He's now posted a 63 or lower three times over his past three events.

Ryan Armour and Doug Ghim, who birdied his final two holes, each sit one shot back, while Doc Redman, Vaughn Taylor, and Chase Seiffert are in a three-way tie for third place after shooting 65.

The event is the first to allow limited fans since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The last time spectators were permitted to attend an event was the opening round of The Players Championship on March 12.

With the cancelation of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, the Bermuda Championship received full status because it's no longer being held the same week as a World Golf Championships event. The winner earns an invitation to the Masters next year.