Luke Donald quickly recovered from his disappointment at missing out on the World Number One spot last weekend with an encouraging first day at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The 33 year old Englishman lost out in a play-off to Brandt Snedeker at The Heritage last Sunday, meaning compatriot Lee Westwood regained top spot with German Martin Kaymer dropping down.
Donald birdied the par five second at TPC Louisiana and also picked up a shot at the fifth, and consecutive birdies on the last two holes ensured he finished four under par for the day in a group of players tied for ninth. He was two shots behind joint leaders Bubba Watson of the United States and Australian Matt Jones.
The 32 year old Watson, already a winner this year at the Farmers Insurance Open in California in January, stormed into contention for a third career US PGA Tour title, although his round began in inauspicious fashion as he bogeyed the par four first.
His form picked up with four birdies on the front nine and he followed that up with a birdie at the tenth, an eagle at the par five 11th and another birdie at the 16th, with a bogey at the 14th leaving him six under par.
He was joined on that mark by Jones, the 31 year old Sydney-born player firing eight birdies against two bogeys.
Six players were in a tie for third at five under par, including 2001 Open Champion David Duval.
Reigning US Open Champion Graeme McDowell carded three double bogeys to finish one over par for the day while England's Justin Rose was a further four shots back on the leaderboard.
