Branden Grace has shot to the top of the leaderboard at the Texas Open with a trio of Australians in hot pursuit after the first round in San Antonio.
The South African posted a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot from Americans Will Mackenzie, John Huh and Stewart Cink, and New Zealander Steven Alker.
Aaron Baddeley, Matt Jones and Geoff Ogilvy lead the Australian charge at three under, with Cameron Percy a further shot behind.
Brett Drewitt and Cameron Smith finished even par, but Steven Bowditch, Curtis Luck, John Senden (all one over) and Greg Chalmers (three over) have their work cut out to make the weekend.
Luck, who is playing in his first tournament as a professional after making the cut at the Masters, had a mixed round. He carded six bogeys and an eagle before storming home with three birdies in the last four holes.
Grace, whose low ball flight is ideally suited for windy conditions typically found in Texas, notched seven birdies to continue his good form from the Masters.
"Making the cut (at the Masters) was big for me and then I progressed nicely over the weekend," he told Golf Channel.
"I've played well here in the past. It's one of those courses you have to be precise, work out a plan attacking the greens, (because) there are some severe slopes.
"The wind blows (and) I like playing in the wind. I like hitting it a lot lower than the normal guys out there."
The world No.21 was pleased with all facets of his game, even if a couple of putts refused to drop.
"Around this place to miss only one fairway is pretty special," he said.
"I hit it pretty good to the greens as well, gave myself some short birdie chances, which is always nice. I left a few out there but I made a couple of nice ones, so they cancelled each other out."
Cink, the 2009 British Open champion, made his move by rattling off four birdies in five holes on his back nine.
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