Gonzales and Bae edge ahead of Laird in Napa

Martin Laird of Scotland hits his tee shot on the seventh hole during round one of the Frys.com Open in Napa, California. Picture: Getty

The pair carded first-round scores of 66 to finish on six under par - one shot clear of Scotland’s Martin Laird.

Gonzales picked up three shots during his first nine holes - at the first, fifth and seventh - and collected further birdies at the 11th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes. His round was spoiled, albeit only slightly, by a bogey at the 12th.

Korean Bae matched his American rival by picking up seven shots in his round - including three consecutive birdies at the last three holes. He too needed five shots at the 12th to bogey the hole.

Laird carded five birdies in a round of 67 to trail the leaders by one shot, while Americans Charlie Beljan, Luke Guthrie, Colt Knost, Brooks Koepka, Kyle Reifers and Jon Curran were part of a nine-strong group a further shot back on four under.

Former world number one Vijay Singh dropped four shots on the back nine to sign for a level-par score of 72, while Lee Westwood recorded four bogeys in a one-over-par score of 73.

Defending champion Jimmy Walker was nine shots off the pace after posting a three-over 75.