Shane Lowry matched world No 4 Rickie Fowler and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama stride for stride to earn a three-way tie at the top of the Waste Management Phoenix Open leaderboard.
It could have been even better for the Offaly man in Arizona. He scorched out of the traps, carding five birdies in his first nine holes.
Back-to-back bogeys on the fifth and sixth frustrated the 28-year-old, but his opening six-under-par 65 was studded with enough class to give Lowry real hope that he can stay in the mix over the weekend.
Four bogeys and a double bogey left Padraig Harrington languishing on three-over after his 74. Greystones man Paul Dunne was among the day's late starters.
"My game feels good, I feel like I'm hitting it good," said Lowry. "I just need to be more aggressive and less tentative. To shoot 65 is nice."
A robot made a hole-in-one? 🤔
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 5, 2016
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Fowler struck six birdies and an eagle, but was hurt by two bogies on the 16th and 18th, while Matsuyama also registered eight one-unders and two bogies.
Anirbahn Lahiri and Bryce Molder are a shot further back on five-under. Molder was unable to complete his round as bad light brought an end to play with him having completed 16 holes.
England's Greg Owen carded a 67 while Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson are further back on two-under.
USA's Keegan Bradley would have been in tied-fourth on five-under, but he was hit with a two-stroke penalty after taking to the course with 15 clubs instead of the permitted 14.
