Padraig Harrington, helped by a red-hot putter, took early control at the Wachovia Championship with a six-under-par 66 in Thursday's opening round.
Bidding for his third PGA Tour title, Harrington rattled up six birdies in a blemish-free display at Quail Hollow Club to move one stroke clear.
American Jason Bohn, Harrington's playing partner, was alone in second place with South African Trevor Immelman and Swede Carl Pettersson a further shot back after carding 68s.
Harrington, back on US soil for the first time since tying for seventh at last month's Masters, got off to a fast start in calm, overcast conditions.
After teeing off at the par-five 10th, he reeled off three birdies in a row from the 14th before reaching the turn in three-under 33.
The 35-year-old Dubliner picked up further shots at the second, third and fifth to climb to the top of the leaderboard.
Darren Clarke is the only other Irishman competing and he will be disappointed with his first round four-over-par.
