PGA Tour news: Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa among first-round leaders in Hawaii
- Planet Sport writer
- 6 January 2023
There were plenty of low scores on offer as the first PGA Tour event of the year got under way at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Thursday.
Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and JJ Spaun all share the lead on nine under par after each of the trio carded a 64 to commence their PGA Tour seasons in fine fashion.
Morikawa was particularly happy with his start to the new year following his first winless season as a professional in 2022.
The 25-year-old really caught fire on the back nine, draining six birdies in a row from the 10th hole before picking up another shot on the 18th as well to rocket up the leaderboard and into a tie for first place.
"It was just to go out and be patient and give yourself opportunities," said Morikawa, who holed four long-range putts on the day.
"Beginning of the week the prep felt great. Didn't really see many putts go in. It was nice to see one go in on 4 from like 30 feet. That just kind of got the round propelled from there."
Meanwhile, Spaun picked up five of his shots on the front nine and another four after the turn to join the leaders.
Rahm mixed eight birdies and a lone bogey with an eagle at the par-5 fifth to also get his total to nine under par.
The leading trio are one shot clear of South Korea's Tom Kim, who picked up two eagles en route to an opening round 65.
England's Matt Fitzpatrick is among six players who are two strokes back on six under, joining the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im and Mackenzie Hughes.
Among those on six under, three off the pace, are Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, Hideki Matsuyama and Tony Finau.
Only three shots separates the top 16 players heading into the second round.
Firing on the back 9 š„@Collin_Morikawa dials in his third birdie in a row @Sentry_TOC. pic.twitter.com/v8VWfiyGuX
ā PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 5, 2023
