2023 Mexico Open scores: Jon Rahm, Tony Finau on the hunt as Austin Smotherman leads after Round 1

The defending champion Rahm overcame a sluggish start on Thursday to push back into contention

VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) -- Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with four straight birdies for an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead over Erik van Rooyen and Tano Goya.

Masters champion Jon Rahm, who won the Mexico Open at Vidanta for his only PGA Tour title a year ago, had five birdies on his last 11 holes to overcome a sluggish start for a 67.

Smotherman is winless on the PGA Tour. He won the Mexico Open in 2018 on a different golf course -- it was held in Tijuana that year -- and when it was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica schedule.