John Cook, who has had a dreadful year so far, shot a four-under-par 66 to lead the Colonial tournament at Fort Worth in Texas.
The 42-year-old, who had a 127-yard hole out for an eagle two on the par-four sixth hole, holds a one-shot lead over a group of eight players which includes Phil Mickelson and Davis Love.
In 13 tournaments this year, Cook has missed the cut 10 times. "I've have nothing good happen this year, so maybe it will be a change," he said.
World number two David Duval withdrew before the round citing allergies and an upset stomach.
COLONIAL TOURNAMENT, First Round scores (US unless stated): 66 - J Cook. 67 - K Clearwater, D Frost (SA), G Kraft, D Love, L Mattiace, P Mickelson, D Toms, M Weir (Can). 68 - S Dunlap, J Edwards, R Mediate, F Nobilo (NZ), R Sabbatini (SA). 69 - B Estes, J Furyk, J Green, J Haas, S Kendall, T Kite, S Maruyama (Jap), C Paulson, J Sluman, S Verplank, B Watts.
Belgium's Valerie Van Ryckeghem, the 1997 champion, shot a seven-birdie 67 to lead by one from Italy's Silvia Cavalleri at Poggio Dei Medici, near Florence in yesterday's first round of the Women's Italian Open.
