Mitchell and Jeeno off to red-hot starts

Keith Mitchell used a late birdie run to shoot a nine-under 61 and take the early lead at the Truist Championship on May 8 in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.

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FLOURTOWN - Keith Mitchell used a late birdie run to shoot a nine-under 61 and take the early lead at the Truist Championship on May 8 in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.

He started his first round at the Philadelphia Cricket Club's Wissahickon Course on the back nine and parred his first five holes. After birdying Nos. 15, 17 and 18, he stayed hot on the front nine with a six-under 29 coming in, including four straight birdies from No. 5.

At day's end, it was only good for a one-stroke lead over Denny McCarthy. Tied for third at seven-under 63 are Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Akshay Bhatia and Austria's Sepp Straka.

Mitchell - in the field only due to a sponsor's exemption - carried a bit of insider info into the week.

"I have a buddy that's a member that kind of gave me a little bit of info, but honestly nothing," the 33-year-old said.

"I knew it was a great golf course. Everybody that I talked to said it was amazing, and they were right.