Defending Champion Kevin Na enjoys strong start, opens with solid 61 to grab one-shot lead at Sony Open

Defending Champion Kevin Na enjoys strong start, opens with solid 61 to grab one-shot lead at Sony Open

Kevin Na got off to a fantastic start with a nine-under 61 in the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii on Thursday.

Na, who won the 2021 Sony Open by a single stroke, made seven birdies and an eagle to take the lead on a low-scoring opening day at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu,

Na, a five-time PGA Tour winner, matched his career-low (61) for the fifth time in his PGA Tour career with a round of 61. Even though he shot a terrific 9-under 61, he was unhappy because he didn't hit 59.

"I did everything well today, and my iron play was phenomenal, and I tell you what, I had a chance for a 59," Na said in a post-round interview. He further added, "I gave it all I could. I'm a little disappointed my putts didn't fall; some of the good putts that I hit didn't fall. But it's still a good round."

Jim Furyk

The 51-year-old Jim Furyk, on the other hand, once again drew everyone attention after hitting an ace on the 17th hole to grab the early lead with an electrifying 8-under 62.

Although Na was on par with Furyk at 8-under until the 17th hole, but a birdie on the 18th put him one shot ahead of the seventeen-time PGA Tour champion Furyk.

Furyk was tied for second place with Russel Henley at the end of the day's play. While Four players shared fourth place at 7-under.

According to the circuit, Na's 61 is his 11th career round of 62 or better on Tour, the most by any player since the Tour began keeping track of hole-by-hole scores in 1983. With nine, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods are tied for second place.