KAPALUA, Hawaii — Russell Henley found Kapalua to be a lot more fun the second time around.

Henley made four birdie putts outside 20 feet on his way to an 8-under 65 on Friday, giving him a one-shot lead over Bae Sang-Moon in the opening round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Henley made his debut last year in the winners-only event that starts the year and never broke 70. The Plantation Course offered up far better scores without the typical wind off the west coast of Maui.

Bae was in Honolulu practicing last week when he learned the South Korean government had denied an extension of his overseas travel permit. Bae has deferred his mandatory military service, and there are questions over how much time he spent at home during this deferral. He has hired a legal firm to sort out the problems, but he caused a stir back home when he was quoted as saying he would not being going back to South Korea. What he meant was that he was not required to be there while the law firm worked on it.

n The rowdiest event on the PGA tour landed golf’s biggest name when Tiger Woods said he would play in the Phoenix Open for the first time in 14 years.

The tournament starts Jan. 29.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Andy Sullivan shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-shot lead at the South African Open, while Ernie Els wiped out a promising start with a 77 in the second round to tumble out of contention..

Copy the Story Link