Luke Donald began the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational with a four under par 66 to sit three behind Jim Furyk after the first round.
The World Number One from England carded seven birdies and three bogeys around Firestone to claim a share of third place.
Starting on the back nine, Race to Dubai champion Donald set off with a hattrick of gains, only for that early momentum to stall somewhat with dropped shots at the 13th and 18th.
The 34 year old then had further gains at the second, fourth and sixth, before putting his tee shot within 20 feet at the short seventh and holing for another birdie.
He missed a ten footer for par at the next, but did well to rescue par at the ninth having found the greenside bunker in two.
“The course was in great shape,” he said. “It's always in great shape, this place. I got off to a great start, but gave a few bogeys back with a few poor drives.
“That's the only thing really I needed to work on after today's media session. But I had the pace and the line on the greens really well, I made a bunch of putts today, and that was obviously another key to a solid round.”
Donald also felt that a week off after a top-five finish at The Open Championship had been important during a busy stage of the season.
“I had a few days off after The Open,” he added. “I think most people take a couple days off to kind of recharge and relax, and then back to work.”
