Russell Knox was a happy man after posting an opening 67 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday, just a day after arriving at Firestone Country Club.
The Scot put his golf clubs to one side following the Open Championship at Carnoustie, spending last week in Alaska with his family.
He arrived in Akron on Wednesday morning, ready to begin his first round at the South Course at 9.50am on Thursday.
And Knox, who won the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2015, mixed five birdies with two bogeys in his opening round to get to three under par.
He said: "I'm delighted since I arrived here yesterday morning and I hadn't touched a club since The Open. I had a nice little break.
"I went on vacation with my family in Alaska and it was a nightmare getting here, but I got here and I felt refreshed from golf, tired from travel.
"I felt awful over the ball for at least the first 12 holes, to be honest. I was just happy to get it moving forward.
"So for it to kind of come together, make some putts, I'm delighted with three under.
"My iron play was good. The greens were super soft, so it's nice for me - I can throw darts in there, so that's nice.
"I made some nice putts. I missed one I should have made at the last hole there but I definitely putted well and drove it pretty well.
"It was a good day."
Knox recovered from dropping a shot at the long second with birdies at the third, fifth and ninth as he turned in 33.
The 33 year old picked up further shots at the 14th and 17th but carded his second bogey of the day at the last.
Knox sat five shots behind leader Ian Poulter at the end of day one but feels he will be in contention if he can put together four rounds of 67.
He added: "Obviously I'm not going to be near the lead but three under is three under and if I shoot three under every day on this course, I'm going to love my chances."
