Kuchar, Simpson, Justin Thomas Lead Sony Open


Webb Simpson held on to the first-round lead in the Sony Open. But the 29-year-old North Carolinian, who began Friday as the pacesetter with England's Paul Casey following matching 8-under 62s, has some new names alongside his in the $5.6 million PGA Tour event in Honolulu.

Simpson, who shot a 4-under 66 at Waialae Golf Club, was joined by PGA Tour veteran Matt Kuchar, who posted a 63, and 21-year-old Justin Thomas, who fired a 9-under 61 to vault up the leaderboard.

The 36-year-old Kuchar, a seven-time Tour winner, posted seven birdies. Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, is one of a handful of players who's won majors with an anchored putter. This week he's switched to a standard-length flat stick in preparation for golf's long-putter ban that starts at the beginning of 2016.

Thomas, a 21-year-old Kentuckian and Tour rookie who had a stellar collegiate career at Alabama, shot the low round of the tournament so far thanks to seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole; he began play on the 10th tee.

Two strokes behind are South African Tim Clark, who posted a second straight 65, and American Troy Merritt (64). Trailing by three are Scotsman Russell Knox (65) and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini (67).

Defending champion Jimmy Walker had his second 66 and shares eighth at 132 with Robert Streb (69), Ryan Palmer (63), J.J. Henry (67), Aussie Marc Leishman (62) and Casey (70).

The 36-hole cut in the tournament, which has so far been a shootout as the unpredictable winds at Waialae have been docile so far, was set at 2-under 138.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.