South Africa's Ernie Els and American Jim Furyk have taken a one-stroke lead in the $5m Mercedes Championships in Hawaii after nine-under par rounds of 64.

Els, the world number three, got off to a dire start with a double bogey but hit back in style, with two eagles and seven birdies, for a share of the lead at the Plantation Course.

R1 LEADERBOARD

-9 Jim Furyk, Ernie Els -8 Chris Riley, Gene Sauers, Jerry Kelly -7 Bob Estes, Shigeki Maruyama -6 KJ Choi -5 Luke Donald, Jonathan Byrd, Phil Tataurangi, Loren Roberts, Vijay Singh

Collated scores

Earlier in the day, Furyk, who won the event in 2001, completed his round of 64 without a single dropped shot.

The American, who played 27 holes at the course back in November, insisted he was revelling in the benign conditions.

He said: "I know the course pretty well, whether I play here in the off season or not.

"The wind laid down for us today and made it possible for us to go out there and get low scores."

Furyk was helped out by some superb putting, including a 40-footer on the 17th hole.

Els, in contrast, stormed into a share of the lead after going six-under for the final seven holes.

Afterwards the South African said: "I don't think I've ever seen it this calm. When you get a day like today, you've got to take advantage.

"I told my caddie, 'we'd better get going early because I don't know if we'll have another day like this."

British promise

Els and Furyk lead by a single stroke from the American trio of Chris Riley, Gene Sauers and Jerry Kelly. Bob Estes and Japan's Shigeki Maruyama are another shot back.

Last year's PGA Tour rookie of the year Jonathan Byrd showed some impressive form with a five-under par 68, as did British golfer Luke Donald. The pair are level with three other players in ninth place after the opening round.

Els' countryman Retief Goosen carded a 70, while Spain's Sergio Garcia, the defending champion, was a shot further adrift. Only three players recorded scores over par.

Tiger Woods is missing the tournament following knee surgery, while world number two Phil Mickelson is skiiing with his family.