Graham DeLaet doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue like a Steve Stricker or K.J. Choi, but the 29-year-old Canadian’s back story is uplifting nonetheless.

An old hockey injury in high school returned to haunt him the past couple of years before surgery to his lower back provided him with some relief. He is not 100 percent, but close enough after his 7-under 63 left him atop the leaderboard after Thursday’s opening round of the $5.5 million Sony Open in Hawaii.

Golf writer Ann Miller delves into his comeback as part of her main story on the opening 18 holes of the first full-field event on the PGA Tour as 63 golfers landed in the red, including Hawaii’s own Tadd Fujikawa.

Staff writer Billy Hull takes a close look at Fujikawa’s 1-under 69 as well as the other four golfers with local ties trying to make the cut in today’s second round.

Paul Arnett delves into the eight past champions playing this week and why it’s so difficult to repeat here over the 47-year history of this event held at the Waialae Country Club.

Columnist Dave Reardon provides an overview of the first day as we also examine the most intriguing hole as well as some notes to get you caught up on the action.