Golf: Hendry starts well in Japan

Michael Hendry. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand golf No 1 Michael Hendry continued a fine run of form in 2013 by making a good start to the Japan Tour Championship today.

The 33-year-old shot a four-under 68 at Shishido Hills to be in a share of sixth place after the first round, his first action on the Japan Tour this year.

Hendry, the world No 170, made five birdies and a bogey and will begin the second round three shots back from leader Min-Gyu Cho of Korea.

The Kiwi's promising start only built on what he has already achieved this year. Hendry arrived in Japan fresh from winning the Starwood Classic last week in Fiji, while he also successfully defended his New Zealand PGA Championship title at The Hills and recently claimed the Muriwai Open on the Charles Tour.

Meanwhile, Danny Lee continued his resurgence in form on the Web.com Tour, with a four-under 67 leaving him in a share of 16th after the opening round of the Rex Hospital Open in North Carolina.

The 22-year-old, who last week finished tied for 15th at the Air Capital Classic, carded five birdies and a bogey at the TPC Wakefield Plantation to be five shots back from American Andrew Putnam.

Lee is currently 23rd on the Web.com order of merit and needs to finish inside the top 25 to automatically qualify for the PGA Tour in 2014.

Fellow Kiwi Tim Wilkinson, in fourth position on the Web.com money list and in good position to return to the PGA Tour for the first time since 2009, got off to a slow start in North Carolina. Wilkinson signed for a two-over 73 to be in a share of 121st place after round one.