Jimmy Walker grabbed a two-shot lead at the SBS Tournament of Champions as the big guns were unable to fire in Hawaii. Walker, the PGA Championship winner last year, carded an eight-under 65 in his opening round at Kapalua Resort on Thursday.
The American took early control as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson battled. Spieth, the defending champion, birdied his final hole to sit at one under and in a tie for 22nd. World No. 1 Day fared better, but a bogey at the last saw him slip back to three under.
Meanwhile, Johnson made the best start of the trio after managing four birdies to be at four under.
Walker went through bogey-free, mixing six birdies with an eagle – at the fifth – in his round. "It was nice," Walker told the Golf Channel . "I drove it well, made a lot of good putts. I was really just in control of the ball all day. I get off the plane here and breathe the air and it’s just nice. Everyone is in a good mood, the food's good, there are umbrellas in your drinks. It's got everything you need."
He sits ahead of Jim Herman, Justin Thomas and Ryan Moore, who are tied for second at six under. Daniel Berger and Jason Dufner opened with 68s to be at five under, a shot ahead of Cody Gribble, Rod Pampling, Pat Perez, Hideki Matsuyama and Johnson.
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