Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and America’s Jonathan Byrd shot seven-under par 66s to share the lead after round one of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Pettersson carded eight birdies and a bogey while Byrd also dropped a lone shot among six birdies and an eagle at the PGA Tour’s opening event of 2011.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari signed for a four-under par 69 while England’s Ian Poulter finished one shot further back.
Nothern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell had four birdies and two bogeys in his 71.
McDowell is in the field of 33 at the Kapalua resort having won the US Open last year, however, England’s world number one Lee Westwood, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who were also eligible to play, are absent.
Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy, who won the previous two events, was a late withdrawal after cutting his hand on coral while coming out of the sea. He needed 12 stitches, ending his chance to emulate compatriot Stuart Appleby who won this title three times between 2004-06.
Appleby shot an opening round 69 despite having an unfamiliar putter in his bag. His normal putter went missing so his caddie was dispatched to a nearby golf shop and the Australian played with the price tag still attached to the shaft.
Benign conditions on the Pacific Ocean island meant that the Plantation Course was missing its usual defence, although joint leader Byrd, who won a three-man play-off in Las Vegas with a hole-in-one to qualify for the event, said the lack of wind offered its own problems.
“It’s quite an adjustment going out there with no wind,” said the American who opened with five birdies on the front nine and then holed a wedge from 111 yards to eagle the par four 10th.
“I had a great front nine. I think I hit every green, hit both par-fives in two, hit one wedge shot real close and just kind of had an easy five-under start.
“It was so calm starting out. All in all, you could just be a little more aggressive.”
Pettersson echoed Byrd’s thoughts, adding: “If you played well and made the putts, you were going to shoot low.
“It’s unusual to see Kapalua play this way and I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of it.”
