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Australian golfers Matt Jones and Marc Leishman have enjoyed strong starts to the Sony Open in Honolulu.

Australian golfers Matt Jones is tied second and Marc Leishman is in strong contention after a windy first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Jones finished on three-under-par 67, one shot ahead of countryman Leishman at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Two of six Australian golfers competing in the PGA event, they each finished the round with four birdies, including a stunning 29-foot putt on the 16th hole from Leishman.

Jones is in a four-way tie for second, while Leishman is is locked in equal sixth with nine other golfers including countryman Cameron Davis on a cluttered leaderboard.

Fellow Australians Rhein Gibson and Cameron Smith both finished the day with even-par rounds of 70. Cameron Percy fired a poor first round of three-over 73.

American Collin Morikawa, 22, had a bogey-free, five-under-par opening round 65 to take a two-shot lead.

Justin Thomas, who won a playoff last week in Kapalua, struggled to card a 72, while defending champion Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed shot 69s.

AP