(Reuters) - Americans Michael Thompson, Chris Kirk, Webb Simpson and Jordan Spieth reveled in a birdie fest as they charged into a tie for the lead in Friday's opening round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Thompson birdied five of the last eight holes for a seven-under-par 66 in breezy conditions at the picturesque Kapalua Resort in Hawaii to seize the early lead at the elite, winners-only event. However, Thompson was caught at the top by a red-hot Kirk, who piled up five consecutive birdies from the 14th, and then Spieth, who calmly rolled in a 12-footer on the 18th green for his seventh birdie in a bogey-free round. "I played really well," Thompson, who booked his place in the prestigious field of 30 with his maiden PGA Tour victory at last year's Honda Classic, told Golf Channel after mixing eight birdies with a lone bogey. More...