The Australians chasing a last-ditch start in next week's Masters have much work to do after American Charley Hoffman made a sizzling start at the Houston Open.
In the last chance saloon for Masters hopefuls - with the winner guaranteed a start at Augusta National - Aussies Stuart Appleby, Cameron Smith, Aaron Baddeley and John Senden all carded three-under-par 69s.
The foursome are still five shots behind Hoffman, with countryman Geoff Ogilvy also within touching distance after a two-under 70.
While youngster Smith is already in the Masters field alongside in-form duo Jason Day and Adam Scott and fellow Aussies Steven Bowditch and Marc Leishman, there is plenty on the line for seven of his compatriots at the Golf Club of Houston.
Matt Jones - the 2014 Houston Open champion - has plenty to do just to make the cut after a three-over 75, his card punctuated by a triple bogey seven at No.4 when he put his drive out of bounds.
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Hoffman had nine birdies overall in a brilliant eight-under 64 to be one shot ahead of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Roberto Castro, Scott Brown, Morgan Hoffmann.
Johnson sank a 10-foot eagle putt at the par-five eighth, his penultimate hole of the day, before draining a 24-footer from the fringe at the par-three ninth.
"Overall, it was a great day," Johnson told PGA TOUR Radio.
"I made just two bogeys and one of them was a mud ball on (hole) five.
"Then I had a penalty shot on the par-five 13th (his fourth hole of the day). Other than that, I felt like I played really solid today and holed some nice putts."
Two shots further back in a share of 10th is reigning Masters champion Jordan Spieth, while three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson carded a 69.
They are among 33 players already exempt into the Masters and using the Houston Open as a tune up event.
