Piercy sets course record at Silverado and takes lead

NAPA, Calif. (AP) Scott Piercy began the new PGA Tour season by setting the course record at Silverado with a 10-under 62 to take a two-shot lead Thursday in the Safeway Open.

Conditions were practically perfect in the morning, and so was Piercy. He made 12 birdies , was rarely out of position except for two tee shots and even missed a pair of birdie chances inside 8 feet.

Paul Casey birdied his last three holes for a 64.

Phil Mickelson, playing a domestic PGA Tour event in the fall for the first time in a decade, teed off in the afternoon.

Jon Rahm of Spain began his PGA Tour career in fine fashion with a hole-in-one on his second hole of the round, the par-3 11th. He was at 66.