Streelman, Whitney, and Hoey Tied for Lead at World Wide Technology Championship

Kevin Streelman, Tom Whitney, and Rico Hoey are all tied for the first-round lead at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico after shooting 5-under 67s on Thursday. The trio navigated tough, windy conditions at the El Cardonal course, designed by Tiger Woods, to take a one-stroke lead.

Streelman, who has not won a PGA Tour event since 2014, started strong with an eagle and a birdie in his opening holes. "It's a tiring golf course, especially when it blows this hard out here," Streelman said. "You have holes you need to take care of, with No. 1 being one of them. It's kind of a downwind par 5, and 18 is a similar fashion. But then you turn into the wind."

Whitney, who birdied the first three holes, also found success in the wind. "Starting the day on this golf course you're thinking, `I need to get it to 6, 7, 8,'" Whitney said. "Then the wind starts blowing and you kind of temper those expectations. I'm very pleased with 5 under."

Defending champion Erik van Rooyen is one stroke behind the leaders after posting a 68. Other golfers tied at 68 include Taylor Montgomery, Max Greyserman, Nate Lashley, Austin Eckroat, Kelly Kraft, and Ryan McCormick.

Van Rooyen reflected on the changing conditions: "Completely different test than what we had last year. There was maybe one club of wind last year."

Nico Echavarria of Colombia, who won the Zozo Championship in Japan earlier this year, shot a 69 in his opening round. "It was a good round, good start, bogey-free. A lot of wind for the morning," Echavarria said.