HONOLULU — Defending champion Nick Taylor was sharp along with his irons at Waialae Nation Membership, firing a par-3 8-under 62 to share the lead with Kevin Roy because the PGA Tour season opened Thursday on the Sony Open.
This would be the newest begin to the touring season as The Sentry in Kapalua, Maui was canceled resulting from water points. Sony attracted a powerful discipline, accounting for 4 out of the world’s prime 10 firms.
Taylor and his early starters, who gained the playoffs final yr, obtained a break when the wind did not blow till the afternoon. Of the highest 16 gamers on the leaderboard, solely 4 gamers performed late.
“I believe we have been fortunate with the climate forecast this morning. We have been anticipating a bit extra wind,” Taylor mentioned. “I felt like a few of the tee pictures weren’t too troublesome due to the wind and doglegs. They have been nice pictures, however this course fits my eyes.”
Taylor birdied three of the par 3s. The par 3 he did not birdie was what he felt was his greatest swing of the day, hitting a 4-iron to the highest shelf on the troublesome fourth gap, however simply lacking the shot from 25 toes.
The Canadian wasn’t shocked by his efficiency, despite the fact that this was his first occasion of the yr, however he was happy. He solely performed in Mexico through the low season after which competed within the Nedbank Problem in South Africa, enjoying effectively sufficient to remain sharp and rested.
Roy made seven birdies within the first 11 holes and completed with a birdie on the par-5 18th gap.
SH Kim obtained off to a sluggish begin and birdied the remaining three holes, scoring a bogey-free 67. He was in the identical group as Ben Griffin, who was making his Ryder Cup debut along with his third win of the season, and Scottish Open winner Chris Gotterup.
Corridor of Famer Vijay Singh, 62, took benefit of the one-time profession cash exemption to play on tour this season, however he shot a 68 regardless of two double bogeys. Jordan Spieth, who additionally had a 68, had 4 bogeys and 6 birdies, calculating that he sacrificed two and a half strokes resulting from a late-game membership change.
Spieth threw in a 3-iron as a substitute of a hybrid.
“The issue is, I had 4 months to organize for this week. The day earlier than I obtained right here, I dug out 5 3-irons and hit them, after which I introduced all of them right here. And I used to be making an attempt to determine which of them I preferred right here, they usually have been all good,” he mentioned. “So I had to decide on one, and it is simply…I do not use it that a lot, so I believe I am going to return to the hybrid.”
Scotland’s Robert McIntyre and Adam Scott have been 67th. Scott’s tee shot on the par-5 ninth gap on the finish of the spherical hit the nets lining the follow vary and ended up within the backside internet, a couple of inches outdoors of the out-of-bounds stakes. He needed to return to the tee and hit a 6-iron to 4 toes to avoid wasting par.
Scott was coming from Australia and thought Waialae, considered one of his favourite programs, was on his technique to California for his subsequent two begins. As all the tour schedule is being reconsidered, there’s a feeling that this can be the final Sony Open.
