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Leishman back and on top

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Leishman was back on top form

Australia’s Marc Leishman picked up where he left off last season as he takes a one-shot lead into the second round of the 2018 opening Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club.

The world number 12 was one of the form players last year after he won the BMW Championship, finished third at the Dell Technologies Championship and then lost in a playoff to Justin Thomas at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges.

Now, he leads in Hawaii.

Leishman posted a first-round six-under 67 to grab the advantage over Brian Harman and Jhonattan Vegas with Players champion Si-woo Kim, world No 1 Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler all tied on -4.

‘The putter was really, really solid,’ said Leishman after round one.

‘It was nice to see some putts go in, gets the year off to a really good start.’

Leishman’s good day centered around the final six holes on the front nine where he made four birdies after a start that included a birdie at the first and a drop at the third.

Fowler was particularly impressive on Thursday but will rue a momentum halting double on the 13th.

The reigning Hero World Challenge champion responded with birdies at his next two holes before draining a 21-foot eagle putt at the 18th to finish with a 69.

Thomas and Jordan Spieth both battled on Thursday with Thomas, fighting for a 71 with Spieth four shots further back of his playing partner after a two-over 75.

Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images