Former world number one and 2005 champion Vijay Singh rolled back the years as he charged into a share of the lead with a sizzling seven-under-par 63 in the opening round of the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Vijay Singh during the Fiji International. Photo: Fiji International
Seeking his first PGA Tour victory since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship, the tall Fijian racked up seven birdies on the tight, palm tree-lined layout at Waialae Country Club to finish level with Americans Ricky Barnes, Kevin Kisner, Brandt Snedeker and Morgan Hoffmann.
52 year old Singh narrowly missed a nine-foot putt for eagle on his final hole, the par-five ninth, as he ended a bogey-free display with consecutive birdies for a five-way tie at the top after taking advantage of relatively benign morning conditions.
"I was feeling good about my body, my swing, my mind, so I just went out there -- it was early -- started off well and just kept it going," Singh told Golf Channel after making his 19th career start at the event.
"I scrambled very well. Early on, I didn't hit too many fairways but I got it around the greens, chipped in once and my putter was working really well."
Reigning champion Jimmy Walker, who is bidding this week for an unprecedented third victory in a row at Waialae, fired a one under par 69.
Danny Lee is tied for 20th, 3 shots off the lead, while fellow New Zealander Tim Wilkinson is another shot back in a tie for 32nd.