Rod Pampling and Greg Chalmers feasted on some Australia Day vibes to sit inside the top 10 after the first round at the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines.
With the Australian flag prominent on their golf bags and in a climate reminiscent of an Aussie summer’s day, the pair produced impressive mistake-free rounds.
Pampling fired an eight-under-par 64 to be tied fourth, one better than reigning Australian Open and PGA Champion Chalmers who signed for a seven-under 65, enough to be tied eighth.
Americans Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley lead the field after producing blistering 10-under rounds of 62, one clear of Bill Haas (63) who is third at nine-under-par.
The top 12 players, and 23 of the top 26, played on the easier north course in the opening round, with Marc Turnesa (66, tied 13th) claiming round honours on the more difficult south course.
The field plays on both courses over the opening two days before reverting to the 2008 US Open south course for the weekend.
Pampling rammed home eight birdies in his round to ensure it was the first time in nine attempts he had broken 70 in his opening round at the event.
“It’s great to start so well, especially on Australia Day,” Pampling said.
“The last few years have been a struggle mentally but to play like this, I’m extremely happy.
“I’m looking forward to heading to the south and hopefully keeping the run going.”
Despite not having a full card last season, Pampling battled back onto the tour thanks to good performances in his limited sponsor-exemption starts.
He credits the return to form to renewed mental focus – something he should be well versed in given his wife is a psychologist.
“I had to get back to my focus techniques and breathing control,” he said.
“You can start thinking about different things and now, when that happens, I just imagine a stop sign and start again.
“It’s basically distracting your mind. My wife has always said to me most men think they can do more than one thing at a time, but we can’t.”
Chalmers went low courtesy of five birdies and a 50-foot bomb for eagle on the par-five 18th.
Robert Allenby and Gavin Coles were the next best-placed Australians in a tie for 26th after posting four-under 68s on the north course, while Nick O’Hern (69) was the pick of the Aussies on the south.
New Zealander Danny Lee found himself tied for 17th after a five-under-par 67 on the north course.