Graeme McDowell is finally finding a rich vein of form, shooting an eight-under-par 64 to grab the lead after the first round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.

Australian Stuart Appleby, who went wire-to-wire to win last week at the Houston Open, is in second place after a 65.

Ten golfers, including Retief Goosen and Jeff Sluman, are two strokes behind and eight more, including Englishman Ian Poulter, are three strokes off the pace. Padraig Harrington shot a 70.

McDowell has played in seven events with a cut and missed playing on the weekend in all but last week's Houston Open, where he finished tied for 54th.

The two big differences last night were that he hit every green in regulation and had 28 putts.

"It's nice to have a round of golf like this one," McDowell said. "I've been waiting on a round like this for a while."

He was also the recipient of a little luck on his last hole, the ninth. He was 118 yards away for his second shot and used a gap wedge, holing out the approach for eagle.

"It one-hopped right into the hole," McDowell said. "It was a pretty good shot, but I think the hole got in the way a bit."

English Turn Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the event because the TPC Louisiana course is still unplayable after the hurricane, yielded under-par scores to 101 of the 155 golfers in the field.

Among them were England's Justin Rose with a 69, while Lee Westwood had to settle for a 71 after a last-hole double bogey.

Phil Mickelson, who is trying to win his third consecutive event, shot a four-under par 68.