Jason Day's strong form has continued in the opening round of the Memorial Tournament in his adopted hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
Day, who plays and practises at Jack Nicklaus' course, started with a four-under par 68 to be inside the top 10.
Three players — Mexico's Abraham Ancer, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Joaquin Niemann of Chile — hold the lead at seven-under par.
The Australian made five birdies in his first 10 holes today but faltered toward the end and had to be content with his 67. “Obviously the golf course is very receptive on the fairways and the greens,’’ said Day. “And the greens are rolling pretty nice and true. So with that said, I've just got to just chip away at it. I can't just kind of full press. I would like to full press it, but you've got to respect this course, because it can come back and bite you.’’
Day has moved back into the world's top 10 players and has set himself the task of regaining the world No. 1 ranking.
The other Australians had flat starts. Australian Open winner Cameron Davis and Adam Scott are tied-47th after opening 72s, while Marc Leishman began with a 74.
Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods also carded an opening 72, even-par, battling tightness in his back.
But he said the ailment was not serious; more the aftermath of his spinal fusion last year. "I just have days like that. It's ageing and it's surgeries. It is what it is. Just got to make the adjustments. I'm able to make them now.''