Two-time major winner Angel Cabrera holds a share of the lead after the first day of the Barbasol Championship in Alabama.
The Argentinian shot an opening-round 65 and was joined in the clubhouse on six under by Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas.
Scotland's Martin Laird was one of seven players to finish on five under, just a shot behind the leading duo.
Cabrera, starting on the back nine, eagled the par-five 13th before adding back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th.
Further shots were picked up on the first and fifth by the former Masters and US Open winner, who has yet to record a top-10 finish this season
Vegas shone as he played in a group containing three players heading to Rio for this summer's Olympic Games.
David Hearn and Graham DeLaet, who posted 68 and 71 respectively, will be representing Canada in Rio but could not match playing partner Vegas during the first round in Alabama.
Vegas reached the turn in 33 after birdies on the fifth and seventh, then after another birdie on the 11th he matched Cabrera's eagle on the 13th by holing from 18 feet.
Another shot was gained on the 16th, leaving Vegas satisfied with his start.
He told pgatour.com "Any time you can come out and start a tournament like this is always good. It gives you a lot of confidence heading into Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I've been playing well enough the whole year and hopefully I can keep that up for three more rounds.
"It is a great opportunity, especially with the (FedEx Cup) play-offs getting closer. You want to give yourself the best chance to play as many events as you can before the play-offs."
Laird, who started on the back nine, was four under after 10 holes before bogeying the fourth.
He responded with back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth.
He said: "I hit the ball great all day. The week before I went to Quicken Loans (in June) my coach and I made a posture change, got me standing a lot taller and putting more weight on my heels. Ever since then, once I've got my posture set I've not really had any swing thoughts. I've just been hitting my shots, which is the ultimate thought for a golfer.
"The last three tournaments I've been hitting the ball nicely and hopefully it continues."
Source: PA
