KAILUA-KONA — The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai has a reputation of being fairly friendly to newcomers. That remained true for the first round on Thursday.
Joe Durant fired a 7-under 65 in his debut round at Hualalai to take a one-stroke lead, but is followed closely by a chase group that includes Tom Pernice, Jr., Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III and defending tournament champion Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Also not far off is 2006 winner Loren Roberts and Duffy Waldorf — another Hualalai first-timers — at 5-under.
Durant played a practice round and in the pro-am earlier this week, but admitted the conditions at the PGA Tour Champions’ season-opening event made it a bit more challenging on Thursday.