Wells Fargo Championship: Dustin Johnson returns from injury but Francesco Molinari sets the early pace

Johnson missed The Masters last month after injuring his back in a fall down a flight of stairs the evening before day one at Augusta

Dustin Johnson returned at Eagle Point from the back injury he suffered on the eve of The Masters (Getty)

Francesco Molinari overcame a difficult start to earn a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Eagle Point.

The Italian, a former Ryder Cup player, bogeyed his second hole, but recovered in fine fashion to reel off five birdies in the next seven holes and eventually card a six-under-par 66.

Molinari, who chipped in a birdie at the 18th, has a slender lead over four men on five under, with Alex Noren, JB Holmes, Grayson Murray and Brian Campbell all firing 67s.

Dustin Johnson enjoyed a solid return to action after a back injury curtailed his hopes of Masters glory last month.

The world number one, who was forced to withdraw on day one at Augusta, signed for a two-under-par 70.

He told pgatour.com: "I'm happy with the way I played. I didn't score that great, didn't really hole that many putts, but other than that I played really well.

"I thought I drove it nicely, hit a lot of good iron shots. You know, I'm happy with the way I played, for sure."

PA