irational Jarrod Lyle has continued his amazing comeback to the United States PGA Tour after almost two years' absence battling cancer.
Lyle carded an opening 66, five-under-par at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas today to move into contention.
The Victorian is just two shots off the lead held by veteran Stuart Cink and Martin Laird.
Lyle, 33, is in his second remission from leukemia having first been diagnosed at 17.
He is the winner of two tournaments as a professional.
He resumed playing at the Australian Masters late last year.
“I feel like I’m a rookie again,'' he told pgatour.com. "I feel like I’m coming out and seeing these guys for the first time after watching them on TV, which is what I’ve done the last two years,” he said. “I was laying flat on my back two-and-a-half years ago, so it’s nice to be out walking and playing golf and making birdies again.”
Australia's top-ranked player Adam Scott began the Japan Open with a two-under-par 68 to be five shots from the lead.
Victorian Marcus Fraser made an excellent return from a long injury lay-off with a 67 in the first round of the Hong Kong to be tied-12th after the first round.