Kevin Na Shoots 61, Leads Sony Open in Hawaii

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Kevin Na Leads 2022 Sony Open
Kevin Na gestures on the 16th green during the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae CC on Jan 13, 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins via Getty Images)

Defending champion Kevin Na shot a first-day 61 and will enter the second round of the Sony Open holding a one-shot lead over Russell Henley and Jim Furyk, who are also both former winners in Honolulu.

Na threatened a sub-60 round when he reached 8-under par through 12 holes. His hopes for a 59 ended, though, with a string of five consecutive pars starting on No. 13. Na closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th to secure the day-one marquee position.

“I played unbelievably well,” said Na. “I did everything well today and my iron play was amazing. My distance control has been great.

“I had a chance for a 59. 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.”

Furyk set the early mark with an 8-under 62, highlighted by an ace on the par-3 17th hole.

“I thought I was in between clubs but Fluff [caddie Michael “Fluff” Cowan] assured me it was a 6-iron for me, it was the right club and I had it teed up a little bit trying to get the ball in the air and hit down on it,” said Furyk, who won the 1996 edition of the Sony Open. “Caught it just a smidge high in the face…I wasn’t quite sure I caught enough of it to cover it.

“It carried on the green probably two or three yards, landed in a perfect spot and then released towards the pin. I guess that’s kind of the line I was looking. You never want to miss that green right. Want to make sure I hit it solid to cover.”

Russell Henley, who won the 2013 Sony, sits alongside Furyk on 8 under after a bogey-free start.

“Yeah, really just started out hitting a lot of fairways,” said Henley. “Hit a good tee shot on 1 and hit a really solid ball and just give me some momentum to keep believing that the work I put in with the driver is kind of giving me some confidence. I hit a lot of fairways and from there, I could attack.”

One further back was a group of five players tied for fourth at 7 under, including 2018 Sony winner Patton Kizzire.

Sony Open in Hawaii

Top 10: Leaderboard
1. Kevin Na -9 (61)
2. Russell Henley -8 (62)
2. Jim Furyk -8 (62)
4. Seamus Power -7 (63)
4. Haotong Li -7 (63)
4. Kevin Chappell -7 (63)
4. Patton Kizzire -7 (63)
4. Michael Thompson -7 (63)
9. Matt Kuchar -6 (64)
9. Corey Conners -6 (64)
9. Jason Kokrak -6 (64)
9. Adam Svensson -6 (64)
9. Tyler Duncan -6 (64)
9. J.T. Poston -6 (64)

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