Walker two ahead in Hawaii
Jimmy Walker has a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the SBS Tournament of Champions on Thursday.
The American carded a sizzling eight-under-par 65 around the Kapalua Resort Plantation Course for a two-shot lead over fellow countryman Ryan Moore, Justin Thomas and Jim Herman.
Walker was off to a flying start and thanks to an eagle three on the par-five fifth, he would be five under through six holes.
Three birdies in his closing five holes saw the PGA Championship winner sign for a flawless card. Walker revealed that he had cut his driver shaft short by a few inches to improve his accuracy, and it worked, as he hit 11 out of 15 fairways.
"I just feel like I've got more control," said Walker after the round.
"I feel like the golf swing is better at that length for me, and that's where I've always struggled, the longer the club got. So that's the thinking. More fairways is what I'm looking for."
Further down the star-studded field is US Open winner Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama – who is incidentally looking for his fourth consecutive win – on four under par.
World number one Jason Day was content with his three under 70, blaming his form on the greens for missed opportunities.
"It was actually all right," said the Australian.
"Just didn't putt that great. I had two 3-putts, and that was pretty much it. I'd like to obviously tighten it up over the next few days with regards to proximity, but after having three months, I think 3-under is pretty good."
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