The Sentry: Hideki Matsuyama leads PGA Tour opener in Hawaii

Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama carded a second successive 65 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the season-opening PGA Tour event in Hawaii.

The Sentry features 31 PGA Tour winners and 29 players who finished inside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings last year.

The 32-year-old from Japan made eight birdies in his round to hold a slim advantage at Kapalua over another major winner, Collin Morikawa.

The American, who won the 2020 US PGA Championship and The Open the following year, shot a 65 thanks to five successive birdies from the 13th.

“I’m definitely satisfied with where I am,” said Matsuyama.

“Obviously the views are beautiful here. I haven’t played well here in a while, so it’s good to get off to a good start.”

Morikawa could have finished the day level with Matsuyama but had to be content with a par at the 18th.

“I just hit some quality shots and gave myself a run of birdie opportunities,” he said.

“I felt like for the entire back nine I had birdie looks. Obviously I made a handful, but it was just nice to see a couple drop.”

American Maverick McNealy equalled the lowest round of the day with a 64 to move to a shot behind Morikawa on 14 under alongside Canada’s Corey Conners, Thomas Detry of Belgium and first-round leader Tom Hoge of the US.

England’s Harry Hall birdied four of his last five holes on his way to a 65 that took him into a group a further shot back that also includes US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and former US Open champion Wyndham Clark, who both carded 64s.