Golf: Kiwi start well in California

Kiwi Danny Lee started hot in California by making six birdies on the front nine. Photo / Getty

Kiwi golfers Danny Lee and Steven Alker have made promising starts to the Humana Challenge on the PGA Tour in California's Coachella Valley.

The event is played across three courses and also features a pro-am and Lee fired a four-under 68 at the La Quinta Country Club today, while Alker registered the same figure at the PGA West Nicklaus Course as they were left in a share of 29th.

Lee started hot with six birdies on the front nine but mixed his fortunes on the way out as he made a bogey, double bogey and a birdie on the back nine.

Alker was steady as usual with five birdies and a bogey during his round and he will need to keep up the pace tomorrow in what is traditionally a low-scoring event.

Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson made a slow beginning as he carded a one-under 71 at the PGA West Palmer Course as he finished the day in a tie for 89th.

The left-hander had a colourful scorecard that included an eagle, three birdies, four bogeys and 10 pars and he will need to pick up some strokes during the second round if he wants to make the cut.

American Michael Putnam was at the top of the leaderboard following a birdie-laden nine-under 63 at the Nicklaus Course. Putnam holds a one-stroke lead over a chasing pack of five players.