Aaron Baddeley found himself in slightly unfamiliar territory after an opening 68 put him just a shot from  he lead in the Valero Texas Open on the United States PGA Tour today.

The 34-year-old Australian has been in a quiet phase, with just one top-25 finish in eight previous tournaments this season.

But the Melburnian had five birdies and just one bogey on his way to a great round in high winds at TPC Marriott in San Antonio, the day's second-best round behind Charley Hoffman's 67.

The highlight was an incredible birdie three at the par-four 17th hole after he hooked his tee shot out of bounds, then holed out with the replacement ball from more than 300 metres.

Many players, including Baddeley, are using the Texas Open as their late bid for a spot in the field for the Masters at Augusta National in less than a fortnight.

Baddeley has not win in America since 2011, when he secured the last of his three tour wins. But he still won more than $900,000 with solid form in 2014.

Meanwhile on the web.com Tour, New South Wales golfer Rhein Gibson has a two-shot lead in the Louisiana Open after an opening  62.