Rahm, Morikawa, Spaun Share Lead at Kapalua Amid More Low Scoring on Maui

Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Jan. 5, 2023. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

KAPALUA, Hawaii—Jon Rahm is starting to get used to low scoring on the Plantation Course at Kapalua. He can only hope this start leads to a better finish in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

One year after he was 33-under par and still finished second, Rahm birdied three of his last four holes for a 9-under 64 and shared the lead Thursday, Jan. 5, with Colin Morikawa and J.J. Spaun in an idyllic start to the year.

Morikawa began the back nine with six straight birdies, his longest such streak on the PGA Tour. Spaun, at Kapalua for the first time, had four straight birdies on the back.

Collin Morikawa of the United States reacts to a missed putt for birdie on the 18th green during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Jan. 5, 2023. Harry How/Getty Images

Cameron Smith won last year at 34 under, a PGA Tour record to par, during a week of hardly any wind. Such was the case Thursday on a course that was firm and played even shorter because of severe slopes that can make shots roll much longer on the ground than they fly in the air.

Billy Horschel was the only player in the 39-man field who failed to break par. shooting 76. Xander Schauffele scratched out a 70 while dealing with a back issue that has surfaced for the second time in a month.