American Jonathan Byrd defied the windy conditions to make a good start in his attempt to defend his Tournament of Champions title.
The 33-year-old used a red-hot putter to rattle in six successive birdies on the front nine on the way to a superb six-under 67.
"I feel like I know how to play this course," Byrd told reporters after recording eight birdies and two bogeys in his first competitive round of the year.
"The front nine was fun. You're kind of never sure what you've got starting off the first round of the year, and it's hard not to get ahead of yourself a little bit."
That left Byrd a shot in front of fellow Americans Steve Stricker, Webb Simpson and Michael Bradley, plus Britain's Martin Laird, in the PGA Tour's season-opening event.
PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley carded a 69 while South Korean KJ Choi, renowned for his ability to play well in the wind, opened with a 70 in an elite field of 27.
American world No 6 Stricker, the highest-ranked player in the field, was just one under after 13 holes before surging up the leaderboard with four birdies in the last five holes.
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Byrd | -6 |
| Michael Bradley | -5 |
| Martin Laird | -5 |
| Steve Stricker | -5 |
| Webb Simpson | -5 |
| Keegan Bradley | -4 |
| KJ Cchoi | -3 |
| Bryce Molder | -2 |
| DA Points | -2 |
| Ben Crane | -1 |
