Kevin Kisner got his foot in the door of victory at the HSBC Champions but he couldn’t quite get it open all the way.
He brought the momentum from a runner-up finish at that WGC event to Sea Island Thursday and fired a seven-under par 65 on the Plantation course. He’s the first round leader, a shot in front of no less than eight players at six-under par.
Kisner played the back nine first in three-under then put the punctuation on a fine round with an eagle at the par five eighth, his 17th hole of the day.
He will turn his attention to the Seaside course for the final three rounds where the par is 70 as compared to 72 on the Plantation layout.
The 156-man field got a great break with the weather on Thursday as predicted heavy thunderstorms held off and everyone finished their round. Scoring was low as 110 players shot under par.
Davis Love III, an area resident, played with his son Dru and both shot even-par 70s on the Seaside course.
Matt Kuchar, another player who lives in the neighborhood, shot 66 on the Plantation course.
Last week’s winner — Graeme McDowell — shot a three-under par 67 at Seaside.
Zach Johnson, the field’s highest ranked player, shot 70 at the Plantation.
