Scotty Scheffler, chasing a third straight Hero World Challenge title, had seven birdies before a final bogey to shoot a six-under-par 66 on Thursday to join a five-player tie for the first-round lead at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas.
World number one Scheffler had four birdies on the front nine and added a trio on 13, 14 and 15 to take a one-stroke lead, but he missed the green on the par-four 18th and then shot over the putting surface en route to his final bogey.
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He drew with US Open champion JJ Spawn, former US Open winner Wyndham Clarke, Akshay Bhatia and Sepp Straka.
They were all one stroke ahead of US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Canadian Corey Conners, who were tied on 67.
“I feel pretty good,” said Scheffler, who is playing for the first time since the United States lost to Europe in the Ryder Cup in September.
“I think there will always be a little rust there, but I don’t think about it when I play. I'm just trying to get a good score.”
Spawn also had seven birdies before the final bogey, Clark had an eagle and six birdies with two bogeys.
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Bhatia blasted out of a greenside bunker to take eagle two at the par-four seventh and add four bogey birdies.
Bhatia played his first round with Max Homa's former caddy Joe Greiner on his bag.
The American left-hander said he is already seeing the benefits of having a left-handed caddy.
“I think certain golf courses, certain shots, certain cues that we have, he really understands that,” Bhatia said. “I think most of the left-handers I’ve met—Phil (Mickelson), Bubba (Watson) and myself—are very creative. I think being left-handed has something to do with it. It's very exciting for me when someone sees the shot the way I do.”
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Straka also opened play without a bogey, with his six birdies, including back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th, capturing his share of the lead.
“I haven't played in a while,” said Straka, who is using an unofficial 20-man tournament hosted by Tiger Woods to get back into action.
“The driver was a little erratic at times but took a few breaks off the tee and irons and the putting was pretty good. Chipping was really good today too, it’s so nice to show a good result,” he added.
Woods will not take part in the tournament, saying Tuesday that his recovery from his latest back surgery is “not going as quickly as I would like.”
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