Wells Fargo Championship: Dustin Johnson returns from injury but Francesco Molinari sets the early pace
Johnson missed The Masters last month after injuring his back in a fall down a flight of stairs the evening before day one at Augusta
Francesco Molinari overcame a difficult start to earn a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Wells Fargo 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 card 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 number one, who was forced to withdraw on day one at Augusta, signed for a two-under-par 70.
He told pgatour.com: "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."
PA
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