Reed and Cantlay shine at Hero World Challenge

Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay share the lead after the opening round of the star-studded Hero World Challenge on Thursday.

The American duo signed for seven under 65s around a benign Albany course in the Bahamas, enough for a three shot lead over Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson.

Cantalay, who only found out he was in the field two weeks ago, was slow to get going, earning back to back birdies to make the turn in two under. But his short game came to the fore coming home as he notched up five birdies in his final six holes.

The highlight of that final stretch was a 28 foot curler for birdie on the par five 15th.

The American – who hails from the fire-ravaged state of California – is donating $500 for every birdie he makes this weekend to the families affected by the recent wildfires.

Reed had a ten foot birdie putt on the last to tie Cantalay for the lead and judged the pace to perfection, rolling it in for his eighth birdie of the day.

Bubba Watson enjoyed a share of the early lead when he made the turn at four under. But he failed to light up the back nine and carded a double bogey on the par three 17th.

The two-time Masters winner is in T5 with European star Alex Noren, who boasted a colourful scorecard with an eagle, five birdies and four bogeys for his 69.

Jon Rahm went on a decent run towards the end of the round with three consecutive birdies, but found the water on the par four 18th, scribbled down a six and signed for a one under 71.

Tournament host Tiger Woods – who missed just one fairway on Thursday – played a superb second into the last, leaving himself a tap in for birdie to card a one over 73 and move up from bottom spot. That’s ahead of Hideki Matsuyama, who rounded out the field after his lacklustre 74.

Dustin Johnson Henrik Stenson News Patrick Reed

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