Todd Clements and Ivan Cantero Gutierrez each opened with a seven-under 65 on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the Corales Puntacana Championship.

The two DP World Tour players produced nine birdies apiece in winds that gusted to 22 mph at Puntacana Resort. They hold a one-shot advantage over Austin Eckroat, Alejandro Del Rey, Johannes Veerman, Mackenzie Hughes, Jonathan Byrd and Gordon Sargent.

The co-sanctioned tournament includes 50 DP World Tour players and is being staged opposite The Open. Both leaders arrived in the Dominican Republic after missing the cut at last week’s ISCO Championship in Kentucky.

Clements Sets New PGA Tour Low

Clements made nine birdies and bogeyed the fifth and 17th holes, lowering his best PGA Tour score by two strokes. His previous low was a 67 in the opening round of the 2026 ISCO Championship.

The Englishman credited the relaxed setting for helping him settle into his tournament debut.

“I just think the whole place is just an enjoyable place to be,” Clements said. “Turned up and it’s a relaxing environment. Just get to enjoy myself and I kind of felt like it came out in my golf today.”

Clements dropped his second shot of the day at the par-three 17th but still secured his first 18-hole lead or co-lead on the PGA Tour. His previous best position after an opening round was tied fourth at the 2025 Barracuda Championship, where he eventually finished third.

That remains his best result across six PGA Tour starts. Clements has also recorded five top-25 finishes on the DP World Tour this season, with a tie for 11th at the DS Automobiles 83° Open d’Italia his best result. His only DP World Tour title came at the 2023 D+D Real Czech Masters.

“I’m actually delighted with how I played today,” Clements said. “A few tweaks I’m going to try and solve this afternoon, but for the main part I was absolutely delighted and looking forward to tomorrow and what that brings.”

When atop the leaderboard in the Dominican Republic, what else are you going to do 🤷‍♂️

📍@CoralesChamp pic.twitter.com/4eAV1tMjNX

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 16, 2026

Cantero Responds to Opening Bogeys

Cantero began on the back nine and bogeyed his first two holes, the 10th and 11th. The Spaniard responded with nine birdies over his remaining 16 holes to match Clements at seven under.

The 65 was also Cantero’s lowest PGA Tour score, improving on the 67 he shot during the third round of the 2025 ISCO Championship. He is making his fifth career PGA Tour start and, like Clements, holds an 18-hole lead or co-lead for the first time.

Cantero’s best PGA Tour finish is a tie for 40th at the 2025 ISCO Championship. His best result in his past five DP World Tour appearances was a tie for 26th at the Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol.

Six Players Sit One Shot Back

Eckroat and Sargent completed bogey-free rounds of 66. Eckroat, a two-time PGA Tour winner, finished fifth at Corales in 2023 and tied for 30th at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open.

“We were over in Scotland last week and trying to qualify for the British Open, but when we saw we were going to be here, we said, ‘Well, someone’s got to win it,’” Eckroat said. “Huge going into the rest of the season. A lot of points available, good momentum.”

Hughes joined the group at six under after making an eagle at the fourth. He has finished inside the top three in both previous appearances at Corales, placing tied second in 2019 and third in 2021.

Blades Brown opened with a 67, while US Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker shot 70. Defending champion Garrick Higgo posted a level-par 72.

Chad Ramey was the best placed of the four former champions at two under. Joel Dahmen shot 71, while Higgo and Brice Garnett finished at level par and one over respectively. No player has won the tournament twice.

The final round is scheduled to finish by 2pm local time after organisers moved the planned completion time earlier.

For the latest news in the golfing world, follow us on X.