South African Ernie Els was just two shots off the leaders after the opening round of the Frys.com Open.
The three-time Major winner started with a two under par 69, bouncing back from a bogey at the second with birdies at the sixth, ninth and 15th.
American quartet Brendan Steele, Briny Baird, Garrett Willis and Matt Bettencourt led the way on four under on a tightly congested leaderboard.
Els was not the only European Tour Member to start well – his compatriot and former Masters Tournament Champion Trevor Immelman was one under par, as was England’s Paul Casey, with Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen level par.
