ECP Brazil Open Round 1

Andre Chi delivered a nearly flawless performance on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to take the provisional lead during the opening round of the ECP Brazil Open. Chi’s primary objective was to make a statement in his PGA TOUR Americas debut, and he did so by reaching 9-under-par through 17 holes before play was suspended due to darkness.

Starting his round with a flurry of birdies, Chi showcased exceptional control in the breezy Rio conditions, putting him in a position to tie the course record of 61 with a birdie on his final hole when play resumes. The chasing pack was led by Americans Dawson Armstrong and Jake Sollon, who both successfully completed their rounds with impressive 8-under-par 63s.

The technical challenge of the Olympic layout proved rewarding for those who found the fairways, with five additional players tied for fourth at 7-under-par. Local hopes were spearheaded by Rafael Becker, who finished the day as the low Brazilian at 2-under-par 69.

Despite the high-scoring leaders, the coastal winds caused issues for several late starters, leading to the suspension of play at 17:42 local time with eight players still on the course. The leaderboard remains volatile as the field prepares to complete the first round and transition immediately into Friday's scheduled second-round action.