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American Lucas Glover - Source: Reuters -
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US Open champion Lucas Glover shrugged off a double-bogey at the opening hole to charge into a one-shot lead in Friday's first round of the SBS Championship.
The long-hitting American made the most of ideal scoring conditions at the Kapalua Resort, recording two eagles over the front nine on the way to a sparkling seven-under-par 66.
Glover signed off with his sixth birdie of the day at the par-five last to finish a stroke in front of compatriots Matt Kuchar, Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson, Britain's Martin Laird and Australian Nathan Green.
British Open champion Stewart Cink and Masters title holder Angel Cabrera carded matching 68s in the PGA Tour's season-opening event which brings together the tournament winners from last year.
Glover was delighted with the way he rebounded after running up an ugly six at the opening hole on the hilly Plantation Course.
"It was a rough start but I turned it around and made a mile of putts from (hole) five through 13," the 30-year-old told reporters.
"I felt I should have made a couple more (putts) but I had a good birdie on 18 to finish a very good day."
Glover very nearly eagled the par-five last, his second shot bouncing on to the green before rolling nine inches beyond the cup.
"I wasn't planning on it," he said with a broad grin. "I'm happy with two eagles in the round."
Laird struck the first shot of the 2010 PGA Tour season, splitting the first fairway, before climbing into contention with four successive birdies from the par-four 13th.
"Four birdies in a row on the back nine was really nice," said the Scot, who booked his place in the elite field of 28 at Kapalua with victory at last year's Las Vegas Open.
"I tend to struggle putting on Bermuda (grass) sometimes but I read the greens good today. My pace was good after struggling at the start of the week, so that was nice."
Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who romped to victory at Kapalua last year by a commanding six shots, birdied three of the last four holes for an opening 69.
