John Huston and David Ogrin both fired nine-under-par 63 to share the lead after the first round of the £1.2 million Hawaiian Open in Honolulu.
Tom Byrum was one shot shot back, while two-time US Open champion Curtis Strange - winless since 1989 - headed a group of six golfers on seven-under 65. He was joined by South African Trevor Dodds, 1990 winner David Ishii, Mike Reid, Woody Austin and Jeff Maggert.
Tim Herron, Steve Stricker, Paul Goydos and South African Fulton Allem were three shots off the lead on 66. Keith Nolan was best of the Irish on two under (70), while Richard Coughlan was two shots further back on level par (72).
The conditions were ideal after weather problems forced each of the last two US PGA Tour events to be shortened due to rain.