Australia's Stuart Appleby fired an opening round six-under 66 to grab the first round lead at the Houston Open, while Vijay Singh remained on course for a third consecutive title.
Appleby was in blistering form at Redstone golf club mixing seven birdies with a single bogey, to take the lead one shot clear of Americans Jerry Smith and D.A. Points and three strokes clear of defending champion Singh.
The Australian settled at the top of the leaderboard as conditions toughened on the par-72 Tournament Course.
"Conditions were quite easy this morning, so if you weren't too intimidated by pins being sort of four yards from the edges you could go at a lot of them," said Appleby. "I think that there was definitely a six-under score to be had out there by somebody.
"I was fortunate enough where my round wasn't clean and perfect but there was enough shots where I hit it good enough to give myself opportunities, a couple of good breaks.
"I sort of like the way my game feels right now. I think the course will fit a lot of players' eye this week."
Australia's Aaron Baddeley, riding the momentum from his maiden PGA Tour win last week at the Heritage Classic in South Carolina, carded a four-under 68.
He was joined on 68 by fellow Australian Stephen Leaney, Americans Charles Warren and Brent Geiberger and Sweden's Mathias Gronberg.
"I definitely made it a point this week to not let up," said Baddeley. "In the past sometimes when I've won, the next week I haven't quite played as well, and been a little I'd say maybe a little lazy.
"So this week I wanted to keep the routine normal, so that's why I was at the course by 6:30 on Tuesday going out to practice and just do exactly what I usually do.
"So I was very pleased going out there today and shooting a good number."
