South African Ernie Els and American Jim Furyk carded nine-under-par 64s to share the first-round lead at the PGA season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii.
Els, ranked third in the world and current Open champion, overcame a double-bogey with two eagles and seven birdies on the unusually benign Plantation Course.
Much before Els signed-off for the day, Furyk shot a bogey-free 64 that included an eagle and seven birdies.
With Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - the world's top-ranked players - skipping the event, Els and Furyk were considered favourites. But they also have history on their side.
Els has never won in Hawaii, but he lost a play-off to Woods here in 2000 and was third the following season.
Furyk won this event in 2001, finished fourth last year and claimed the United Airlines Hawaiian Open in 1996.
Chris Riley, Gene Sauers and Jerry Kelly are a stroke off the lead after carding 65s, while Bob Estes and Shigeki Maruyama of Japan are a further shot back.
With such favourable conditions only four golfers in the 36-man winners-only field failed to break par.
Other leading players scores include Fiji's Vijay Singh who carded a 68, South African Retief Goosen 70 and defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain 71.
The field consists of tournament winners from last season.
Woods is missing as he recovers from knee surgery and Mickelson is on a skiing trip with his family.
PA