Jason Day is embracing an underdog status after starting this week's US PGA Tour playoffs with his worst FedEx Cup ranking in five years.
The Ohio-based Queenslander entered the Northern Trust tournament in New York at 49th on the FedEx standings courtesy of a winless year in which he has dropped from world No.1 to No.9.
But 29-year-old Day, the 2015 winner of this event, credits flying under the radar for a respectable first round of one-under-par 69 at the Glen Oaks Club on Long Island..
Day blew several chances to climb the leaderboard, missing three birdie putts inside seven feet and another from 16 feet, but is five shots back of American pacesetter Russell Henley (64).
World No.1 Dustin Johnson birdied four holes on the back nine en route to a 65 and outright second, while Scott Brown, Chris Kirk and Colombian Camilo Villegas (66) share third at four-under.
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Not since he was 113th in 2012 has Day entered the post-season in a worse FedEx position, but welcomes a "stress-free" crack at making a deep run into the playoffs.
"I've always been like that. As a junior, I liked to come from back of the pack. I've learned to love being in front as a pro, but right now I feel like there's no pressure on me. I'm hoping I can keep it going right through the playoffs," Day told AAP.
"It's always important to get off to a good start this week. If you can cap off a win here, a little bit of pressure will come off my shoulders and I can focus on attacking the Tour Championship and hopefully win the FedEx Cup."
Day topped the standings heading into the playoffs last year, but withdrew from each of the final two events due a back injury - allowing Rory McIlroy to win the finale in Atlanta and the $US10 million ($A13 million) FedEx Cup bonus.
In 2015, Day was ranked second behind Jordan Spieth and despite winning the first and third playoffs events, was pipped at the Tour Championship by Spieth.
"The last two years, I've had an opportunity to win the FedExCup and someone's either won or come-from-behind and won. It would be nice to be able to do that to someone (else)," said Day, who shares 20th alongside world No.3 Jordan Spieth (69).
Meanwhile, fellow Australians Rod Pampling and Marc Leishman signed for a 71 to share 55th place at one-over.
Victorian Geoff Ogilvy's 72 leaves him tied 80th, while Brisbane youngster Cameron Smith carded a disappointing 75 to languish near the bottom of the leaderboard.
World No.4 and defending FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy fell well back with a 73.
