After finishing T-5 at the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open Feb. 1, the Arizona State junior shot a flawless 7-under 65 at the Amer Ari Invitational on Thursday. Rahm, No. 45 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, is tied for the individual lead with Washington senior Cheng- Tsung Pan, whose 65 was also bogey-free. Pan is No. 1 in the rankings.
Each player recorded one eagle and five birdies on the 7,074-yard Waikoloa Kings' Course in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.
USC leads the team event after firing a 12- under 276 in the first round. The Trojans, No. 15 in the team rankings, were led by sophomore Rico Hoey, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2014. He shot a bogey-free 4-under 66 and is solo third. Arizona State and Washington are tied for second one shot behind USC. Stanford is another shot back at 278, while a plethora of teams sit in a tie for fifth, including Auburn, Oregon, Oregon State and Texas Tech at 280.