French golfer Matthieu Pavon is three shots from the lead after the first round of the Cognizant Classic PGA tournament. Pavon returned a card of 67 (4 under par) with four birdies and 14 holes in the by Thursday.
He is at the top of the North American Professional Tour (PGA) rankings after his historic victory at Torrey Pines on January 28. He took 3rd place in the Pebble Beach tournament the week following his victory and has not played again since.