PETTERSSON, BYRD SHARE LEAD ON 66 IN HAWAII

FROM THE SKYSPORTS WEBSITE
Carl Pettersson and Jonathan Byrd share a one-shot lead after day one of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
The Swede and American both made headway in surprisingly calm conditions at the Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course to shoot seven-under-par 66s in the first event of the PGA Tour season.
On a cool, overcast afternoon, Pettersson carded eight birdies and one bogey at the par-four sixth.
He then holed an eight-foot birdie putt at the last to join Byrd at the top of the leaderboard. The American had earlier holed out with a wedge from 111 yards to eagle the par-four 10th.
Ben Crane stands alone in third place after shooting a 67 while fellow Americans Jim Furyk, Bill Haas and Charley Hoffman all returned 68s.
"If you played well and made the putts, you were going to shoot low today," Pettersson said.
"It's unusual to see Kapalua play this way and I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of it."
The Swede, who booked his place in the field of 2010 Tour winners thanks to his success in last year's Canadian Open, said he had high hopes for this season after practicing hard over the last two months.
"I've probably worked harder on my game this off-season than I've done any other off-season," the 33-year-old added.
"My game felt good in practice but you never know how it's going to be in the tournament. It seems to be good so far."
Byrd made a strong start with four birdies in the first six holes before reaching the turn in five-under 31.
"I felt pretty good out there," the 32-year-old said. "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."
Elsewhere in the 33-strong field, US Open champion Graeme McDowell shot a 71 while 2003 Kapalua champion Ernie Els three-putted the last from 11 feet for a 72.
Meanwhile, Ian Poulter shot a three-under 70 to lie four shots off the pace but was unhappy at not having performed better in the benign conditions.
"I am absolutely headless," the Englishman said after scoring four birdies, an eagle and three bogeys.
"I've had two three-putts, which is very silly, and the only other mistake was between my caddie and myself, choosing to hit a line for my second shot on the last and it didn't carry the hazard."
Poulter bogeyed the par-five 18th after missing a par putt from 12 feet.
"Clueless, the pair of us, so I am fuming," he added. "Two three-putts and a bogey on a par five you should be taking advantage of.
"I finished at three under and should really have been right there (with the leaders). So I need to play well now."
Geoff Ogilvy, champion for the last two years, withdrew from the tournament before the start of Thursday's opening round after cutting his right index finger.
The Australian, who was looking for a record-equalling third consecutive victory in the event, fell on coral while coming out of the ocean on the island of Maui on Monday.

SCOREBOARD
HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
The Plantation Course, Kapalua Resort, Hawaii
Total prize fund: $5.6million. Winner gets: $1,120,000.
FIRST ROUND
Par 73. Yardage 7,411. Weather: Light rain, temperature 66 degrees.
T1 Jonathan Byrd 66.
T1 Carl Pettersson 66.
3 Ben Crane 67.
T4 Bill Haas 68.
T4 Charley Hoffman 68.
T4 Jim Furyk 68.
T7 Robert Garrigus 69.
T7 Stuart Appleby 69.
T7 Anthony Kim 69.
T7 Francesco Molinari 69.
T7 Steve Stricker 69.
T7 Matt Kuchar 69.
T13 Bill Lunde  70.
T13 Heath Slocum 70.
T13 Ian Poulter 70.
T13 Ryan Palmer 70.
T13 Bubba Watson 70.
T13 Hunter Mahan 70.
T19 Graeme McDowell 71.
T19 Zach Johnson  71.
T19 Dustin Johnson 71.
T22 Arjun Atwal 72.
T22 Cameron Beckman 72.
T22 Derek Lamely 72.
T22 Jason Bohn 72.
T22 Tim Clark 72.
T22 Camilo Villegas  72

T22 Ernie Els 72.
T29 Matt Bettencourt 73.
T29 Adam Scott 73.
T29 Jason Day 73.
32 Justin Rose 75.
33 Rocco Mediate 79.
Withdrew: Geoff Ogilvy (injured).


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