After an indifferent start to his 2008 season in last week’s Mercedes-Benz Championship, South Korean, K.J. Choi, has today returned to the sort of form that saw him win twice in season 2007 and finish 5th on the PGA Tour moneylist.

Choi recorded an opening round of 64 at the Sony Open in Honolulu today, a birdie at the 18th, breaking him clear of what would otherwise have been a four way tie for the lead. Choi finished 28th in a field of 31 last week at Kapalua after an opening round of 79 but today it was a six birdie and no bogey round as he repeated his opening score of twelve months ago in this event. In 2007 he went on to finish 4th behind winner, Paul Goydos.

Jimmy Walker, who only just regained his USPGA Tour card via the Tour School late last year, Heath Slocum and Steve Marino are in a group at four under 65 while those at four under 66 include last week’s winner Mercedes-Benz Championship, Daniel Chopra.

The Australasian challenge was headed by the new recruits to the PGA Tour, New Zealander Tim Wilkinson and Matthew Jones along with Nathan Green all of whom both played in the afternoon group and did well with opening rounds of 68.

Green finished a very impressive 5th on debut in this event in his first PGA Tour start two years ago and has made a solid start today.

Wilkinson graduated to the PGA Tour via the Tour Q-School late last year and two late birdies today have seen him make a good start to his PGA Tour career.

Meanwhile Jones, who was out in the final group of the day, eagled his final hole of the day with a putt of 25 feet. Like Wilkinson he has made a great start in his first event as a cardholder.

Aaron Baddeley is well placed at one under, while Robert Allenby is at even par, John Senden at 2 over, Jason Day and Peter Lonard at 3 over and David Lutterus at 4 over.

The cut appears as if it will fall somewhere around the one under mark at the completion of 36 holes tomorrow.

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