JOIN USJeev Milkha Singh, also making a return after an eight-week lay-off, did not have too happy a start with a four-over 76 that put him in danger of missing the cut. Matt Jones eagled the par-5 14th hole and finished with a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead.
Paul Stankowski opened with a 67, and JB Holmes, Matt Weibring, Charley Hoffman and Steve Lowery had 68s.
In Mallorca, finishing blues cost SSP Chowrasia dearly as he dropped five shots in the last five holes for a miserable five-over 75 in the first round of the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca. Chowrasia was way behind in the leaderboard at tied 94th.
South African James Kingston held the lead with a five-under-par 65.
Bhullar misses cut
Gaganjeet Bhullar’s maiden Japan Tour campaign ended in agony as he missed the cut in the Japan PGA Championship.
Bhullar went into the second round tied 17th after his strong opening round of 69 but stuttered to a 10-over 80 to crash out with a two-day total of nine-over 149.
Tetsuji Hiratsuka (132) carded six-under 64 to open up a three-stroke lead over Hiroshi Iwata (67).