Honolulu's Tadd Fujikawa salvaged a rough day with a closing surge, birdieing three straight holes to shoot a 2-under-par 70 in yesterday's first round of the $3.5 million Puerto Rico Open at Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande.

Fujikawa, an 18-year-old pro and Moanalua High senior playing on a sponsor's exemption, is tied for 32nd as he attempts to make his third cut in PGA Tour events this year.

Derek Lamely and Jason Day lead after shooting 6-under 66s.

"It was a struggle today, it was bad," Fujikawa said. "I couldn't putt, couldn't hit, my chipping was not that great. It was not a really good round, but I scrambled at the end and put it together.

"When you are not playing well and struggling to keep the round together and not give up, it's really important to keep grinding it out. It keeps you in the tournament. I'm proud of myself."

Fujikawa started on the back nine with bogeys on two par-4s and birdies on two par-5s. He bogeyed the par-4 first hole and was 1-over through 13 holes, but birdied the fifth, sixth and seventh. He hit his driver off the tee, and off the fairway from 250 yards out, to reach the par-5 fifth, then two-putted for birdie.

"That got me going a little bit," said Fujikawa, who followed up with birdie putts from 8 feet and 10 feet — the longest putt he made all day. He just missed a fourth straight birdie from 12 feet on the eighth hole.

"If I keep it up tomorrow I should be in good position," Fujikawa said. "I'm feeling good about what I'm doing. Even though the round did not go well today, it was still a pretty decent number."

Fujikawa tees off at 2:10 a.m. HST today. The Golf Channel broadcast begins at 5:30 a.m.