Golf: Byrd takes one-shot lead at Kapalua

KAPALUA: Defending champion Jonathan Byrd reeled off six birdies in a row en route a six-under par 67 and a one-shot lead in the US PGA Tour’s season-opening Tournament of Champions. Byrd, whose round on the par-73 Plantation Course included eight birdies overall and two bogeys, had a one-shot lead over four players: Martin Laird, Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Michael Bradley. Keegan Bradley, who captured his first major title at the PGA Championship last August, carded a first-round 69, while KJ Choi was a further shot back on 70. Byrd admitted to a few nerves in the first event of the season. “You’re kind of never sure what you’ve got starting off the first round of the year,” said Byrd.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2012.