Niemann grabs lead at Tournament of Champions

Kapalua (Hawaii), January 3: Joaquin Niemann fired a seven-under 66 to grab the first-round lead at the Tournament of Champions on Thursday (January 2). The Chilean, 21, produced a bogey-free opening round in Kapalua, Hawaii, while making seven birdies. Niemann made four birdies on the front nine before picking up shots at 12, 15 and 18 and holds a one-stroke lead over Justin Thomas.

“I played really good, hit a lot of good shots, I just missed one green on 16,” he told the Golf Channel. “During the practice round, I knew it was going to be tough, there was a lot of wind on Tuesday especially and today it wasn’t that windy and I played great. “I made a lot of putts and it was my day.”