American Scott Langley holds a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Sony Open in Hawaii, with Australian Matt Jones well placed in a tie for seventh. Langley was locked at seven under with compatriot Russell Henley heading to the final hole at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, and the 23-year-old from Illinois birdied the 18th for an eight-under-par 62 to move into the outright lead. Henley is a shot further back on seven under, and he is trailed by compatriot Scott Piercy and South African Tim Clark on six under in a share of third. American Jeff Overton and Canada&aposs Stephen Ames carded five-under-par 65s, and they are one stroke clear of New South Welshman Jones, who heads a group of eight men on four under. He is joined there by seven Americans – Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Tim Herron, Brian Stuard, Morgan Hoffmann, Billy Horschel and Tommy Gainey. Jones made a sedate start to his round, but sprung to life by eagling the par-five 9th, and he followed that effort with birdies at 10 and 18 to be well placed after the first round. Jones&apos compatriots Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch are a shot behind him on three under, with fellow Aussies Alistair Presnell and Scott Gardiner – the first indigenous Australian to play full-time on the PGA Tour – a shot back on two under.
Author: Omnisport