Australia's Adam Scott overcame breezy conditions to charge into an early share of the lead at the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.
Scott fired an opening five-under-par 65 on the TPC at Las Colinas, one of two courses being used for the first two rounds, to set the tournament pace with American Steve Lowery.
World number nine Scott mixed seven birdies with two bogeys while Lowery, who started out on the Cottonwood Valley Course, picked up five shots in a blemish-free display.
American Bob Estes returned a 66 at Cottonwood Valley to lie third with compatriots Dean Wilson and Tim Herron and Australian Nathan Green a further stroke back on 67.
"I got off to a good start this morning, birdied the first and really played solid golf the whole way around," Scott told reporters.
"I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and unfortunately had a couple of three-putts, but I made up for that with some other good putts, too."
The 25-year-old from Adelaide, hunting his first PGA Tour title since the 2004 Booz Allen Classic, holed a 30-foot birdie putt at the eighth and a 12-footer at the last.
"Considering it was a little windy out there, I'd say it was a very good round of golf and a nice start to the week," Scott added.
The big-hitting Australian, who finished third at last week's Wachovia Championship, was delighted to maintain his recent improved form with the driver.
"I worked a little bit on my swing the couple weeks before coming back for Wachovia after Augusta (venue for the US Masters)," he said.
"Suddenly I found something with the driver, and since then I've been driving it a lot straighter and more under control than I was in the first part of the year.
"Maybe that's rubbed off a little bit in my iron play, as well."
Jim Furyk, chasing his second victory in a row after winning the Wachovia in a playoff with South Africa's Trevor Immelman on Sunday, made a low-key start with a 70 at Cottonwood Valley.
The American world number five bogeyed the third and 12th before salvaging his round with birdies on the last two holes.
Furyk finished level with 2003 winner Vijay Singh, Germany's Bernhard Langer and defending champion Ted Purdy.
American Kenny Perry, playing his first tournament in nine weeks following knee surgery, opened with a 71 on the TPC at Las Colinas where compatriot Chris DiMarco battled to a 74.
Twice US Open champion Ernie Els was among the late starters in the popular PGA Tour event hosted by 94-year-old golfing great Byron Nelson.
