Davis Love III joins Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer in tie for early lead in Hawaii

Three-way tie for early lead at Sony Open

HONOLULU — Davis Love III has fared better than he imagined after a two-month break, opening with a 5-under 65 in the Sony Open to share the lead with defending champion Zach Johnson and Ryan Palmer among the early starters.

Love has not played since the first round at Disney on Nov. 11, and he went a month without grass under feet while taking a winter vacation in Idaho and hitting balls from a mat in his garage at home.

Despite surprisingly strong wind off the shores of Oahu on Thursday morning, Love played bogey-free. Johnson played in the same group as Love and shot 31 on the back nine to join him atop the leaderboard.

Palmer also finish strong with a 31 on the front nine. He was inspired by a promotional article by Johnson that reminded him to worry only about the shot he was playing.