Molinari secures slim lead

FRANCESCO Molinari overcame a difficult start to earn a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Wells Fargo Golf Championship at Eagle Point.

The Italian, a former Ryder Cup player, bogeyed his second hole, but recovered in fine fashion to reel off five birdies in the next seven holes and eventually carded a six-under-par 66.

Molinari, who chipped in a birdie at the 18th, has a slender lead over four men on five under, with Alex Noren, JB Holmes, Grayson Murray and Brian Campbell all firing 67s.

Dustin Johnson enjoyed a solid return to action after a back injury curtailed his hopes of Masters glory last month.

The world No 1, who was forced to withdraw on day one at Augusta, signed for a two-underpar 70.

He said: “I’m happy with the way I played. I didn’t score that great, didn’t really hole that many putts but other than that I played really well.

“I thought I drove it nicely, hit a lot of good iron shots. You know, I’m happy with the way I played, for sure.”

ENGLAND’S Charley Hull endured an agonising wait before eventually beating American Nelly Korda in the first round of the Lorena Ochoa Match Play in Mexico City.

The 21-year-old was on the verge of victory having just sank a 30-yard putt on the 17th hole at one up, with Korda needing to make a 25-yard effort to take the tie to the 18th.

However, play was suspended due to bad light before the American could take her shot.

Almost two hours later, play resumed and Korda failed to make her putt, handing Hull a 2 and 1 victory.

She now faces Thaiuland’s Pornanong Phatlum.