HONOLULU (AP) - Ryan Palmer stayed calm in an ocean breeze and wound up with a 4-under 66 at the Sony Open for a one-shot lead over a group that included Chad Campbell, his practice partner before they came to Hawaii.
Palmer and Campbell, who live five minutes apart in the Dallas suburbs, spent last week in the California desert to get ready for the new season. The only difference is the gentle surf instead of cactus, and a lot more company.
Campbell birdies his last two holes for a 64 and was tied for second with Robert Allenby and defending champion Zach Johnson, who overcame a triple bogey on the 17th hole for a 67.
Palmer was at 9-under 131 going into a weekend in which about a dozen players were separated by three shot.