Korean KJ Choi recorded six birdies and finished six-under-64 to take a one-stroke lead in the first round of the Sony Open on Thursday as the Australasian contingent found itself a little off the pace in Honolulu. Choi, though, who had three birdies in a five-hole stretch, leads the trio of Jimmy Walker, Heath Slocum and Steve Marino at the event. Starting on the back nine, Walker birdied four of his first six holes and finished with an eagle on the par-five ninth at the Waialae Country Club. Sweden&aposs Daniel Chopra, South African Rory Sabbatini and Chad Campbell lead a pack of nine who finished at four-under par. Defending champion Paul Goydos, who also began on the back nine, finished at even-par. A three-strong group of Australasians, meanwhile, are still in contention, four strokes behind Choi after the first round. Nathan Green was on even par heading into the ninth hole before producing an eagle to go with two birdies and two bogeys on the back nine as he finished on two-under 68 on Thursday (Hawaii) time. He is joined on 68 by compatriot Matt Jones, who produced an eagle on the 18th for his score as New Zealand&aposs Tim Wilkinson posted four birdies and two bogeys on the back nine on his way to two under. Aaron Baddeley is a further stroke back on 69 after carding five birdies and four bogeys on the first day as Robert Allenby earned himself an even-par 70 via a birdie on the 18th. Further back in the field, John Senden is on two-over after the first round as Jason Day and Nick Flanagan carded 73s, with David Lutterus a further stroke back after posting a four-over 74.