Golf: Weir leads in Hawaii

Mike Weir tied the course record with a 10-under-par 63 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the USPGA season-opening Mercedes Championship in Hawaii.

The Canadian left-hander, who earned a spot in this elite field with a victory at the season-ending Tour Championship, opened with four straight birdies and reached eight under with another birdie at the 10th hole.

Weir was asked if he thought the PGA record low of 59 was on and he said: ‘‘Absolutely, absolutely. I’m not going to say I didn’t. For sure, I did. I was feeling so good. I was eight under through 10.’’

Weir cooled off but only slightly as he negotiated the normally windy Plantation Course without a bogey.

Frank Lickliter fired a seven-under 66 to grab sole possession of second place.

Reigning Open champion David Duval, defending champion Jim Furyk, Chris DiMarco, Cameron Beckman and Scott Verplank all carded 67s.

Four days before his 26th birthday, PGA Player of the Year Tiger Woods stayed in contention with a five-under 68.

The 2000 champion is tied for eighth with Kenny Perry.

63 M Weir (Can)

66 F Lickliter

67 C Beckham, C Di Marco, S Verplank, D Duval, J Furyk

68 K Perry, T Woods

69 J Edwards, R Goosen (Rsa), R Damron, D Toms, D Love III

70 J Leonard, T Pernice Jr, B Estes

71 S McCarron, B Faxon, S Stricker

72 J Cook, S Maruyama (Jpn), S Hoch, M Calcavecchia

73 S Garcia (Spa), J Durant

74 D Gossett, J Sluman, J Parnevik (Swe) R Allenby (Aus)

75 H Sutton

77 G Willis

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