Eric Cole bounced back from a late double bogey to join a four-way lead after the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.
The American looked destined for the outright lead headed into the final three holes after splitting eight birdies with a lone dropped shot on the opening hole.
However, a wayward drive led to a double bogey on the par-four 16th and threatened to derail the 37-year-old's momentum.
Cole held firm though, rounding out his day with a pair of birdies to head to the clubhouse on seven under par.
He holds a two-stroke lead with compatriots Sam Ryder and Danny Walker, as well as South Africa’s Garrick Higgo.
Seamus Power already finds himself seven shots off the lead after his level-par 72.
The 38-year-old, who began at the 10th, picked up two shot in the opening five holes to reach the turn at two under, but they were given back on the monstrous 608-yard par-five third, and the subsequent par-three fourth.
