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Choi takes lead at Sony Open

11/01/2008

Korea's KJ Choi fired a six-under-par first round of 64 at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu to take the lead at the Sony Open.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a bogey-free round with three birdies on each of the back nine and front nine to move one shot clear of three players in joint second.

American Jimmy Walker, who carded an eagle three at the ninth hole, joins countrymen Heath Slocum and Steve Marino on five under par for the day.

A group of nine players share fifth on four under par, including South Africa's Rory Sabbatini, the United States' Chad Campbell, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and England's Kenneth Ferrie.

Masters champion Zach Johnson is one of 18 players who completed the course in 67 shots, three under par, alongside Sweden's Carl Pettersson, while Jim Furyk is a further shot off the pace on two under.

Players on even par just about remain in contention, although Argentina's Angel Cabrera - the US Open champion - and Fiji's Vijay Singh will have their work cut out to catch the leaders.

A number of other big-name players had less-impressive rounds on day one in Hawaii, however.

Big-hitting veteran John Daly carded a two-over round of 72 and fellow Americans Steve Stricker and Jonathan Byrd were only one shot better off as they signed off their first rounds.