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Francesco Molinari of Italy recorded eight birdies and shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the Wells Fargo Championship at Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, N.C. Dustin Johnson, the World No. 1 who walked off the first tee and withdrew from the Masters because of a freak back injury suffered the day before, shot a 2-under 70. It was his first round since winning the World Golf Championships Match Play on March 26 -- his third consecutive title.
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"All in all, I'm very pleased with the day,'' Johnson said after registering his 13th straight round of par or better. "I knew I wasn't going to play as good. I maybe played a little more conservatively. But anything under par was going to be a good score.''
Johnson, starting at No. 10, birdied three holes on the back before recording two bogeys and a birdie on his final nine.
Molinari capped his round by chipping in for birdie at the par-5 18th hole.
"I played well and gave myself lots of chances,'' Molinari said. "I missed some makeable ones but then I holed some longer ones which is always nice. I'm really happy.''
J.B. Holmes was in a group of four players at 5-under 67 after birdieing his final three holes. Also at 5-under were Alex Noren of Sweden, Grayson Murray and Brian Campbell.
Phil Mickelson was in a group of 22 players tied for 31st at 1-under 71. Mickelson's round featured four birdies and three bogeys.
Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion and member at Eagle Point, was tied for 81st after shooting a 1-over 73.
The Wells Fargo Championship is not being contested at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., for the first time in its 14-year history. That facility is being prepared for the PGA Championship in August.
