Miguel Angel Jimenez leads American Family Insurance Championship

Miguel Angel Jimenez buried two eagles on his way to a 7-under 65 Friday to grab the first-round lead at the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, Wisc.

The Spaniard started on the back nine and eagled No. 16 before pulling off another just four holes later at No. 2 at University Ridge Golf Course.

"I've been playing very solid. I played very, very solid all day," Jimenez said. "My putting was working also. That's what you need."

He ended the day two strokes ahead of Madison native Jerry Kelly, in second at 5 under.

Kelly's bogey-free 67 also included an eagle at No. 2. He's the defending champion at his hometown event dating to 2019, with the 2020 edition having been canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I just love playing in front of Wisconsin crowds," Kelly said. "I love it."

Jimenez, 57, has won 10 times on the Champions Tour, most recently last September at the Sanford International. Twenty-one of his 38 career professional wins came on the European Tour.

Six golfers turned in 4-under 68s to tie for third after the first round. Among them were South African Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, Jim Furyk and Fred Couples.

Couples' second shot on the par-5 11th missed far left, hit a spectator on the cart path on the back of his arm and bounced back in the right direction. With that stroke of luck, Couples was able to get up and down for birdie and the lead at the time -- and he gifted the fan the ball that struck him.

John Daly withdrew before completing nine holes, with the Wisconsin State Journal reporting that tournament officials said Daly was feeling ill.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz carded an 8-over 80 to finish the day in last place.

--Field Level Media