Leishman fired a three-under-par 67 in the opening round of the $US5.6 million Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu.

He was in a tie for 17th, five shots off the pace set by Scott Langley, who fired an eight-under 62.

The highlights of Leishman’s round came on the back nine,  where he produced back-to-back birdies on the par-four 10th and par-three 11th holes before posting a birdie on the par-five last.

Langley made a rookie debut on the PGA Tour he won’t soon forget.  He thrived on a penetrating ball flight and a pure putting stroke in carding 62, giving him a one-shot lead over fellow US competitor Russell Henley.

Henley played in the same group as Langley and they put on quite a show. Henley made five birdies on the back nine.

Matt Jones is the best-placed Australian at four under, with  Leishman and Steven Bowditch a further shot back.  Debutants Alistair Presnell and Scott Gardiner both opened with a two-under 68.

Langley played bogey-free in a steady wind — nowhere near the gusts of Kapalua last week — and made a couple of long putts.

He holed from 17 metres across the green for eagle on the par-five ninth, then took the outright lead on the 16th with a 10-metre putt for birdie.