Cink, Laird start fast at TPC Summerlin

StewartCink

American Cink and Scotland's Laird both had bogey-free openings to the PGA Tour tournament at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.

Six-time tour winner Cink finished with a flurry in Nevada, posting five back-nine birdies - including three straight from holes 11 through 13 - to claim a share of the lead.

Laird, the 2009 champion and three-time winner on the US tour, started with three birdies in his first four holes before reaching the turn at five under.

Another Scot, Russell Knox, is outright third after a round of 65 that featured eight birdies, including four straight from holes 15 through 18 on his front nine.

A group of six, including Australia's Jarrod Lyle, are tied for fourth after 66s.

Lyle, at his second tournament back on the US tour after overcoming leukaemia for a second time, mixed seven birdies with two bogeys to be at five under.

The 33-year-old qualified for the Frys.com Open earlier in October before finishing tied for 31st, and he continued his good form as he battles to earn his tour card outright - as he is playing on a medical exemption.

Tied with Lyle are Americans Bo Van Pelt, Brian Stuard, Andrew Svoboda and Sam Saunders, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

Matsuyama finished tied for third at the Frys.com Open, and the world number 19 is poised to go better after a strong 66 to start his week.

Another nine players squeezed their way into the 'top 10' after round one in a tie for 10th, including Americans Kevin Stadler, Brandt Snedeker, Scott Piercy, Zack Sucher, Wes Roach and Andrew Putnam.

Fijian Vijay Singh, Argentine Andres Romero and Canada's Adam Hadwin are also on four under, after opening-round 67s.

Defending champion Webb Simpson is tied for 38th after a two-under 69.

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