Three European Tour Members took their place inside the top ten at the McGladrey Classic as Webb Simpson dented Luke Donald’s US money list dream.
The World Number One is aiming to become the first player to win the US PGA Tour money list and The Race to Dubai, but in the penultimate event of the year in the States Simpson shot a seven under 63 to share the lead with Zack Miller.
Swede Richard S Johnson, Argentine Angel Cabrera and former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen were amongst those tied for sixth on five under.
Another Swede, Henrik Stenson, and former Masters Tournament winner Trevor Immelman are a shot further back, while Paul Casey compiled a 69.
Simpson only needs to tie for 15th at Sea Island to take over in first place and come close to dethroning England's Donald, who is not playing in the tournament.
Simpson fired eight birdies in his first round 63 to sit alongside rookie Miller in leading by one shot from fellow Americans Scott McCarron, Billy Horschel and Martin Piller.
Simpson would have led by more had he not shot his only bogey on the par four 18th.
He said: "There's no way I can play this golf tournament without thinking about the money title.
"I'm thinking about it every day. But I'm not over every shot thinking 'this is for the money title.' It's more that I'm just trying my best to get focused on winning the golf tournament."
Miller was a late finisher but did enough to put himself right up there alongside Simpson. He produced an excellent bogey-free round featuring five birdies and a brilliant eagle on the 15th to deservedly put himself at the top.
Johnson, the leading European, threatened for much of the round but bogeys on the 15th and 17th forced him to settle for an early share of fourth place.
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