Tom Hogue birdied four of his first five holes en route to an opening-round nine-under 64 as he held a one-stroke lead at The Sentry in Hawaii.
The 35-year-old American recorded 10 birdies and one bogey in sixth place, moving ahead of compatriot Will Zalatoris.
and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama on the first day of the opening event of the 2025 PGA Tour season.
Matsuyama's move to the top of the leaderboard came thanks to a stunning birdie-eagle-birdie streak through holes 14 through 16 on the back nine. Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young and Canadian Corey Conners fell back at seven under to tie for third place.
Xander Schauffele, a two-time major winner in 2024 and the highest-ranked player in the field, had a disappointing opening round of 72, leaving him one point behind the leaders.
Xander Schauffele is eight shots away from early pacesetter Tom Hoge after Day 1 in Hawaii
Defending champion Chris Kirk shot a double-figure 74 and returned near the bottom of the leaderboard in a tie for 48th.
The Sentry brings together 31 PGA Championship winners and 29 players who finished in the top 50 in last year's FedEx Cup.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has been ruled out after undergoing surgery to repair a hand injury sustained while cooking Christmas dinner.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Hughie enjoyed some time off from golf as he became a father for the first time in December.
“There hasn't been a lot of playing or training the last few months,” he said. “I think when we kind of start this year, the expectations aren't high, you don't know where the game is at.
“I feel like I'm probably a little freer here on the golf course, just because you get rid of bad shots a little easier and you factor it in because it's January.”
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