Spaniard Jon Rahm shares the lead with Americans Collin Morikawa and JJ Spaun after the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
The trio shot rounds of nine under par 64 at the first PGA Tour event of the year in Hawaii.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, the US Open champion, is two shots behind in a group of seven-under players, including world number two Scottie Scheffler.
This year’s tournament increased the prize money by $15m (£11.8m).
The 39-man elite field is made up of last year’s tournament winners and FedEx Cup top 30 and includes eight of the top 10 players in the world.
World number one Rory McIlroy has decided not to play at the Plantation Course, while reigning Australian champion Cameron Smith is suspended from the PGA Tour after joining LIV Golf late last summer.
American Billy Horschel was the only player not to shoot under par as he finished with three points, while Irishman Seamus Power shot a 68 to sit at five under.
