Jhonattan Vegas opened up a two-shot lead after the first round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens.
With the likes of 2012 winner Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods among the star names to skip the £5million tournament, Vegas took advantage.
The Venezuelan carded a six-under par 64, producing birdies at the third, seventh, 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th to sit clear at the top of the leaderboard.
He told the PGA Tour website: "Obviously I feel it went pretty well today. I hit my irons probably better than I've hit them all year.
"I've always liked this golf course, I think it suits me."
Zach Johnson, 2008 champion Ernie Els, Ben Silverman and Lucas Glover are in a share of second at four under.
Sergio Garcia, 2017 winner Rickie Fowler and Charl Schwartzel are among the players one shot further back, while defending champions Justin Thomas is two under following a 68.
