PGA Tour veteran Bob Estes rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt on his final hole to share the first-round lead with fellow American Tommy Armour III in the Ginn sur Mer Classic at Port St Lucie, Florida.
Despite breezy conditions at Tesoro Club's Palmer Course, Estes and Armour fired matching nine-under-par 64s to take early control in the 2007 Tour's penultimate event.
Estes swept to the top of the leaderboard with a scorching homeward nine of seven-under 30 before being joined by Armour shortly before play was suspended for the day in fading light.
Armour birdied four of the last five holes, sinking an 11-footer on the 18th green, to move into contention for his third PGA Tour title.
Of the 22 players yet to complete the opening round on a soggy day at Tesoro, American Bryce Molder was four off the pace with three holes remaining.
Estes, hunting his fifth title on the world's most lucrative circuit, picked up shots at the 11th and 16th to reach the turn in two-under 34.
The 41-year-old Texan then took control with a sizzling run of six birdies from the par-four first before signing off in style with his long-range putt at the ninth.
