Adam Scott is two shots off the lead after the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
Scott fired four-under-par to sit in a tie for seventh with American Morgan Hoffmann showing the way at six under.
Five players are tied second, including England’s Ian Poulter while world No.1 Rory McIlroy closed his round with a 14-foot birdie to finish at two under.
McIlroy has struggled in his two prior US appearances this season, but his opening round on Thursday is a signal his game is rounding into form as the Masters looms only three weeks away.
“There’s a lot of the game that’s right there, so pleased with that. A lot of positives,” McIlroy said.
“It could be a really good week.”
The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland would complete a career grand slam by capturing the green jacket next month at Augusta National and claim his third consecutive major title after wins in last year’s British Open at PGA Championship.
But after a runner-up showing at Abu Dhabi and a win at Dubai to open the year, McIlroy missed the cut at the Honda Classic last month and opened with a 73 for the second event in a row at the WGC event at Doral before fighting back to finish ninth.