Tom Kim sets pace at Travelers, Seamus Power five off the lead

Tom Kim of South Korea birdied his final two holes to break away from the pack and secure the first-round lead at the Travelers Championship on Thursday, with Ireland's Seamus Power five off the lead folllowing a strong start in Connecticut.

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One day shy of his 22nd birthday, Kim posted an eight-under 62 at TPC River Highlands to build a two-shot cushion over Rickie Fowler, Will Zalatoris, Akshay Bhatia and Kurt Kitayama.

Scottie Scheffler was part of a tie at five-under. The world No 1 credited a tweak in his swing mechanics for helping him get back on track; Thursday ended a six-round streak of failing to break 70.

Power bogeyed the second but recovered with birdies on seven, eight and 10. The Waterford man gave one back on the par-four 12th but two more birdies on 13 and 16 got him home in good nick.

Shane Lowry is two shot further back on one-under after starting with an up-and-down 69 that included three bogeys and four birdies.

As for Kim, five of his birdies came on the back nine, including a 16-footputt at the par-4 10th hole and a 2 1/2-footer following a terrific approachat the par-4 12th. He punctuated his round by converting birdie putts from 14and 7 feet, respectively.

Already a three-time winner on tour, Kim is looking for his first win at asignature event. The Travelers is the tour's last signature event of theregular season, with $20 million in prize money on offer and no 36-hole cutcoming Friday.

Defending champion Keegan Bradley opened with a one-under 69.