Irish pair Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry are two shots off the lead at the first round of the British Masters in Watford.
Both men recorded three-under-par rounds of 68, including four birdies and one bogey each.
Four players are tied for the lead on five under par, including home favourite Tommy Fleetwood.
With winds picking up in the afternoon, McDowell felt he got the rough end of the draw among the later starters and was thus delighted with his score.
"It seemed like the boys this morning scored better, although there are some good ones this afternoon," McDowell said.
It was tricky out there and it was tough to get the ball close to the flag. But all in all, I'm really happy with how I played today. I hit a lot of quality shots. I left a few out there but I'd have taken three under."
McDowell is coming to the end of an up-and-down season, but a 15th-place finish at last week's Dunhill Links Championship signalled his current good form.
"I'm very close to playing the type of golf where I need to be," the Portrush man said. "I just need the reps and some rounds under my belt.
"If I can continue to do what I'm doing, I'm happy where I'm at and looking forward to a strong finish to the year, the way we finished last year.
"It would be very nice to be in contention in some shape or form here come the weekend."
Lee Westwood was in a large group one shot off the lead, and admitted he found inspiration in past performances as he looked to put his Ryder Cup disappointment behind him with a second victory in the event.
Westwood feels he let down good friend and captain Darren Clarke after failing to win any of his three matches as Europe suffered their heaviest defeat for 35 years at Hazeltine.
The former world number one then followed that disappointing performance by missing the cut last week, thanks largely to a second round of 82 at Kingsbarns.
However, Westwood was back to something approaching his best at The Grove, carding six birdies and two bogeys in a four-under-par 67.
"I'm really pleased, it's the best I've played in quite a while," said Westwood, who will succeed Luke Donald as tournament host next year.
"My driving has not been great but I drove it really well today, didn't miss a fairway, and gave myself a lot of chances. I've been working on a couple of things on the swing, looking at old videos when I was getting in good positions.
"It's a swing thought I've used for 20 years, just set my right arm a bit faster and a little bit better and it gives me a bit more room on the way down.
"Probably the only poor shot I hit was on the seventh, when Billy (Foster, his caddie) told me left of the green wasn't good and I managed to hit it there anyway."
The other Irish players in the field are Paul McGinley, who shot a 70, and Michael Hoey, who was four over par after a 75.
"I want one"@Graeme_McDowell having some fun with Robot Cam. #BritishMasters https://t.co/o1U6ec3FlF
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 13, 2016
