Matt Jones isn’t leading the US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions but he could still lay claim to one of the best rounds of the opening day.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua is a tough walk at the best of times, carved in the Maui hillsides and facing an elevation change of 305 metres from the high and low points, but Jones has put together a four-under 69 despite barely eating since Monday.

The Australian is suffering a virus caught from his two-year-old daughter, leaving him unable to eat and barely able to even stomach water.

His battling effort, which included birdies on three of his last seven holes, left the 34-year-old just four shots off the lead and tied 12th on debut in the winners-only event.

With nothing other than a small bowl of rice and some liquids in his stomach for five days and showing signs of weight loss, the already slender Jones could have easily struggled.

“I played really well today and I am happy. I gave myself plenty of birdie putts, missed a few but made some long ones so all in all it was good,” he said.

“I am sure I need more nutrients and energy and food. I ate a little bit last night for the first time since Monday but hopefully it is getting better.

“I took it easy and tried to have a little bit of water when I could but I felt fine, not too tired.”

Helping Jones out is veteran American caddy Jimmy Johnson, a long-time bagman of major winner Nick Price and more recently Steve Stricker.

“We worked well together and it was great as he had advice on landing areas and things,” Jones said.

“You can never have enough experience so it’s great to have him.”