Jacob Bridgeman is chasing a second straight PGA Tour win. The 26-year-old shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 on Thursday to lead the Baycurrent Classic after one round at Yokohama Country Club in Japan, Sky Sports and ESPN's leaderboard showed. At one point he made four birdies in a row.

England's Jordan Smith is one shot back after a bogey-free 64. "I wouldn't say I had my best stuff out there today but there was a lot of good short game shots, a lot of good putting," Smith said. The 33-year-old earned his PGA Tour card through his play on Europe's DP World Tour last year.

Four Americans share third at 6 under: Max Homa, Pierceson Coody, Mac Meissner and Ricky Castillo. Collin Morikawa and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama are among those at 4 under.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele had an up-and-down day. He made four birdies and three bogeys for a 1-under 70, seven shots back.

Bridgeman is on a strong run. He won the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 20. A week later, he won his Sunday singles match against Min Woo Lee as the United States rallied to beat the International team 17-13 at the Presidents Cup at Medinah. The Americans had trailed 10.5-7.5 going into the final day. A win this week would be his third of the season.

The event has a short history in Japan. It began in 2019 as the Zozo Championship, when Tiger Woods won by three shots over Matsuyama. It has been played in Japan every year except 2020, when the pandemic moved it to California.

The course plays as a par 71 at 7,322 yards, and the purse is $8 million. Golf Channel carries the event in the U.S.

Because of the time difference, Friday's second round in Japan is played overnight Thursday into Friday for U.S. viewers.

What we know: Bridgeman leads by one after a 63, with Schauffele seven back.
What we don't: Whether Bridgeman can hold the lead through the weekend.