The American pair of Justin Thomas and Harris English roared to a two-shot lead on the opening day of the Sentry Tournament of Champions as the first PGA Tour event of the new year teed off in Maui.
Thomas was faultless on Thursday, following up five front-nine birdies with three on the back nine to shoot to the top with an eight-under 65.
His compatriot English refused to be derailed by a seventh hole bogey, regaining his footing with an eagle on the ninth before picking up four late birdies to join Thomas at the top of the leaderboard.
They are hotly pursued by a six-strong chasing pack, which includes American Robert Streb and Spain's Sergio Garcia, who closed out the opening round on six under.
Scotland's Martin Laird heads into Friday's second session tied for 12th after claiming four birdies on the way to a four-under 69.
No post-holiday rust here.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 8, 2021
The top shots from the first round of @Sentry_TOC. pic.twitter.com/t1ndC44Esv
