Anirban Lahiri posted a 69 that included a bogey on the par-5 ninth when he hit a sand wedge out of the dunes that went over the green and over some 25 yards of water near the 18th fairway. He picked four birdies at the Albany course in Bahamas. Lahiri is the only Indian playing this elite field hosted by former world no.1 Tiger Woods.
Paul Casey is off to a good start in his final chance to win a tournament this year.
Casey birdied the final hole for a 6-under 66 that gave him a share of the first-round lead with Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson in the Hero World Challenge.
The scenery and tropical sunshine made it feel like a working vacation, and a gentle breeze off the tip of New Providence island only added to the relaxation. Hideki Matsuyama (75) was the only player in the 18-man field who didn’t break par.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth made a hole-in-one with a 6-iron on the second hole and finally added a birdie on a par 5 to join a large group at 67 that included Bubba Watson and Adam Scott, who lives at Albany and still holds — barely — the course record of 65. Lahiri partners with Spieth gives him an ecstatic high-five.
Casey is among five players in this field of top-50 players who has yet to win this year.
