Big-hitting American Dustin Johnson is once again back in contention for a title at the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis.
The nine-time PGA Tour winner is yet to win this year despite having several close calls.
But he might be about to change that after firing a four-under-par 66 at the TPC Southwind to stand just one stroke off the lead held by compatriots Tom Hoge and Shawn Stefani, and South Korea's Noh Seung-yul.
Fan favourite Phil Mickelson, a five-times major winner who next week will head to Oakmont searching for a first US Open win after a record six runner-up finishes, hit a round of 70.
Johnson, who won here in 2012, was relatively happy with an opening round that included seven birdies, an eagle at the par-five 16th, three bogeys and a double at the par-three 14th.
"I felt like I played a lot better than my score," the 31-year-old said after finishing level with fellow Americans Brian Gay, Colt Knost and Steve Stricker, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Argentina's Miguel Angel Carballo.
"Just kind of gave away a few shots on the back side, which was my front nine, and then obviously finishing with two (bogeys after the turn) ... just gave away a couple of shots."
Johnson, whose most recent PGA Tour victory came at last year's WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami, has recorded seven top-10s this season in 12 starts, including two third placings.
"Feel like I have been playing really well all year," he said.
"The game is good, it's really good right now ... just got to give myself an opportunity to get it done on Sundays.
"The only thing that has really held me back from winning a bunch of times this year is just making a few more putts."
Noh, who claimed his first PGA Tour title at the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, surged into a three-way tie at the top after picking up two shots in his last three holes.
"Pretty solid today, and then just one bogey," he said.
"Hitting into the rough and missing the fairway here, it's really tough to play this course ... but I make a lot of birdies, a lot of pars, so a really solid round today."
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