Meanwhile, New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee is sitting in the middle of the pack after round one at the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour.
The 21-year-old Korean-born Kiwi, who is currently 157th on the Fed Ex Cup standings, made two late birdies to finish on a one under total in a share of 84th place.
The former US Amateur champion will begin round two nine shots back from American Troy Matteson, needing a sub-par round tomorrow to make the cut in Illinois.
On European Challenge Tour, Wellington professional Mark Brown made a slow start to the Credit Suisse Challenge.
The former European Tour player carded a two over par 73 to be in a share of 95th place in Lucerne.
Brown made three bogeys and a birdie and will begin round two 11 shots back from Dane Joachim Hansen, who opened with a nine under par 62.
Michael Campbell, who enjoyed his best finish on the European Tour for 2012 last week, is not in action this week.
