AP - Adam Scott described big wave surfer Benji Weatherley as a bogey-free caddie after sharing a decent start to the US PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii.
With Weatherley standing in for his regular bagman Steve Williams, world No.2 Scott shot an unblemished three-under-par 67 to be tied 12th, four shots behind leader Sang-Moon Bae at Waialae Country Club.
Scott is a keen surfer and had gone bodysurfing with Weatherley on the famed North Shore of Oahu in the lead up to the tournament.
Weatherley said Scott's coach and brother-in-law Brad Malone seemed less than keen for his star charge to risk the eight foot waves but surfing great and keen golfer Kelly Slater was urging him on.
"We had the Tiger Woods of our sport Slater telling him, `You gotta live, man.' I was on the fence about letting him go," Weatherley said.
"He (Slater) paddled by to make sure Adam wasn't going to turn around.
"It was insane. We got smashed."
Scott did not consider it a big deal.
"I knew I'd be fine," he said. "I can swim."
Scott finished his first round strongly with birdies on the last two holes.
Bae made a great start in pristine conditions and shot a 63, while his playing partner Chris Kirk shot 29 on the back nine to be a stroke back.
Ryan Palmer birdied the last two holes for a 65, tied for third with Brian Stuard who made eight birdies.
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