Wahiawa’s Mason cards 71

Nick Mason’s biggest complaint Thursday came even before his round started.

"It says I’m from Denver, but I wish they would have put Wahiawa," he said.

The Leilehua and Hawaii-Hilo alum, who now resides in Colorado, had four bogeys and three birdies en route to a 1-over 71 on Thursday.

He hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation but struggled with 31 putts in his round, including a three-put bogey on No. 1.

"I missed about five putts inside of 5 feet," Mason said. "I had a lot of birdie chances and hit the ball well, but it could have been a whole lot better."

Mason missed the cut last year at 3 over in his only other PGA Tour event.

"I was still really nervous at the beginning but got comfortable in the middle of my round and made birdie on 10 to get to even," he said. "Maybe (today) I can come out relaxed and get under that cut line for sure."

He will tee off at 1:20 p.m.

Choi might bring juniors

K.J. Choi’s passion for paradise is well documented. He has played here every year since 2000, winning four years ago and adding two more top-10 finishes, with enthusiastic crowds behind him.

His preparation for each season includes bringing three juniors from his K.J. Choi Foundation in South Korea to the U.S. to train with him. This year he taught them at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla.

"I was actually able to feed off of the junior golfers by teaching them and practicing with them and training them," Choi said. "I gained a lot of training as well, so it was a real good challenge for me."

Choi was asked, why not bring them here?

"Good idea," he said with a grin. "Maybe in the near future that would be a good idea."

Maui champ opens with 66

Steve Stricker spent most of Thursday afternoon in relative obscurity before waking up in time with back-to-back birdies to close his opening round at 4-under 66.

He is tied for fifth, trailing front-runner Graham DeLaet by three shots.

"It was a quick turnaround from last week to this week," said Stricker, who began the PGA Tour season on Maui with a win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. "Still thinking about the win last week, but off to a good start."

Stricker is trying to become only the second golfer since Ernie Els to win the first two events of the season since they shifted to Hawaii in 1999.