Ernie Els made seven birdies on Thursday on his way to an opening six-under-par 66 in the first round of the PGA Tour Champions season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in Hawaii.
His single bogey came on the par-three eighth after he had made three birdies in four holes from the fourth to the seventh. He was flawless going home, with birdies on 10. 14, 16 and 18, and he was in a share of third, one shot off the lead. Up front were Kevin Sutherland of the United States and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke. In a share of third with Els were Corey Pavin and Justin Leonard of the United States, Canadian Mike Weir and Germany’s Alex Cjeka.
Two shots further back after the opening 18 holes were Retief Goosen and David Frost of South Africa. On four-under, they were in a share of 11th. Goosen had an eagle, four birdie and two bogeys, while Frost had six birdies and two bogeys.
