KJ Choi maintained his sparkling Masters form as he took the early clubhouse lead on the opening day of the Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina today.
Korean Choi tied for fourth place with Tiger Woods at Augusta National on Sunday, five strokes behind champion Phil Mickelson and his purple patch continued as he moved east to Hilton Head Island for this week’s PGA Tour stop.
Choi shot a seven-under-par 64 that included eight birdies and one bogey to take a two-shot lead over England’s Greg Owen and Canada’s Mike Weir at the halfway point in the opening round with the late wave of starters, including defending champion Brian Gay, getting their rounds under way.
Owen carded eight birdies and two bogeys as he compiled his 66 while Weir had an eagle at the par-four first, the 10th hole of his round. The 2003 Masters champion holed out from 144 yards on his way to an opening 66.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia, looking for his first US win since the 2008 Players Championship 23 months ago, was one of a large group of players on four-under-par at Harbour Town following a first-round 67 that also included five time tournament winner Davis Love III and another American, Jerry Kelly, who recorded a hole in one on the opening morning’s play.
Kelly aced the 193-yard par-three fourth hole having also managed the feat in 2007 when the hole was playing eight yards longer.
England’s Brian Davis shot a 68 and was in a group that also included South Africa’s Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion.
Joining them at three under after his opening six holes was Martin Laird of Scotland, who had eagled the par-five second and birdied the par-three fourth, while England’s Luke Donald was in the clubhouse with a 69. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson and Camilo Villegas of Colombia were home with 70s.