Séamus Power is the best of the Irish at the Houston Open after shooting an opening round of 70 in Texas.
It leaves Power on two under, five off the top, and in a tie for 31st in an event for which he was a late call up after a raft of late withdrawals.
England's Paul Waring has the outright lead on seven under par after shooting a bogey free round of 63.
Waterford man Power reached the turn on one under after a birdie on the 16th, which was his seventh hole. He added further birdies at the second, third and eighth, but did bogey two of his last three holes.
Shane Lowry managed two birdies in the last seven holes to finish under par after his first round.
The Offaly man signed for a 71 after mixing an earlier birdie on the 12th hole - his third - with bogeys on the 13th and 2nd holes to leave him in T59 heading into day two.
