Ryan Palmer fired a bogey-free eight-under par 62 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over fellow American John Rollins after the first round of the US PGA Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Palmer, a member at the host Colonial Country Club, used his knowledge to full advantage in the opening 18 holes of the $US6.4 million ($A6.60 million) event to edge Rollins for the lead.
“This golf course, I know where to hit it,” Palmer said. “I hit driver all day. I was able to attack it and it paid off.”
Canada’s Graham DeLaet and David Hearn and Americans Morgan Hoffmann and John Peterson shared third on 64.
After starting on the 10th tee, Palmer charged to the top with a run of four birdies in a row from the par-4 14th through par-4 17th, then began his second nine with a birdie at the first hole.
Palmer closed strong with birdies on three of the last four holes.
“That was a lot of fun,” Palmer said. “I just got into my round halfway through. My front nine I just hit some good shots close. I had a lot of six and seven footers for birdie.”
Palmer finished fifth at Phoenix and shared fifth earlier this month at the Players Championship despite the death of a friend in an auto accident earlier that week in San Antonio, Texas.
Palmer seeks his fourth PGA title, his first since the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii. His other tour triumphs came in 2004 at Disney World and 2008 at the now-defunct Ginn sur Mer Classic.
In form Marc Leishman leads the Australian contingent after an opening round 66 left him four strokes off the pace.
Compatriot Greg Chalmers had a 67 while Stuart Appleby and Matt Jones both shot one-under par 69s.