JT Poston shot a first-round 62 at the John Deere Classic in Illinois to take a two-stroke lead.

The 29-year-old American eagled the par-five second and had seven birdies in a bogey-free run after tying in second-place at last week's Traveller’s Championship.

With his nine-under 62 on Thursday, Poston became the first player on record (since 1983) to open consecutive PGA Tour events with a 62 or better.

He already had the lead when he stepped to the tee at the par-five second hole. After reaching the green in two shots, he drained a 26-foot putt for eagle.

If that weren't enough, he escaped some trouble at the par-four fourth by holing out from a bunker for another birdie.

"I looked at [caddie Aaron] Flener like, 'Did that really happen?'" Poston said. "I think it was the first green that I missed, and to hole it out and make birdie is just kind of - you're not really thinking you're going to make it, but when you do, you just realise it could be one of those days."

Canada’s Michael Gligic is two shots behind Poston after a 64 in the final group of the day off the first tee – followed by Vaughn Taylor and Christopher Gotterup at 65.

Meanwhile, Ricky Barnes, Denny McCarthy, Chris Naegel and Dylan Frittelli shot 66.

Gligic opened this year's event with a bogey-free seven-under-par round, good for his career-low in his 70th Tour start. The Canadian had missed the cut in his first start at the John Deere Classic in 2021.

Poston won the 2019 Wyndham Championship for his lone PGA Tour title.

United States’ Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and the 2012 winner, opened with a 69 in his 20th consecutive start in the event.

Defending champion Lucas Glover shot 74.