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Malnati made nine birdies, including five
straight over a scorching stretch around the turn, and one bogey
for an eight-under 63 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton
where fellow Americans Doug Ghim and Ryan Armour were one shot
off the pace.
For world number 166 Malnati, who finished runner-up to Sergio
Garcia nearly four weeks ago in Mississippi, his opening score
marked the third time in his last three starts where he shot
rounds of 63 or better.
"My strengths that have kept me on Tour for as long as I've been
here have been wedges and short game and putting and I've worked
hard to make sure that those are still sharp," said Malnati, who
has one win since joining the PGA Tour in 2014.
"I'm starting -- my long game's starting to click a little bit
and get a little better, so that definitely is what's going on
here right now."
Doc Redman, who holed out for eagle from 94 yards at the
par-four 15th, was among a group of three players sitting two
shots back of Malnati.
The Bermuda Championship is allowing a maximum of 500 fans at
Port Royal for each tournament day, making it the first PGA Tour
event to have spectators since the Players Championship in March
was cancelled after one round because of COVID-19.
Defending champion Brendon Todd, looking to become the first
player to successfully defend a PGA Tour title since Brooks
Koepka at the 2019 PGA Championship, offset four bogeys with
four birdies for an opening even-par 71.
Some of the notable names in the field are former major
champions Stewart Cink (66), Padraig Harrington (67), Danny
Willett (67), Henrik Stenson (69), Jason Dufner (71).
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)
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