Darren Clarke's latest attempt to merely make the cut at a PGA Tour event got off to an indifferent start at the Buick Open last night.

Clarke, who's season has gone from bad to worse with a string of missed cuts, carded a respectable one-over par 73 at Warwick Hills but with a plethora of scores in the 60s, that was good enough only for a share of 120th spot in a field of 154.

American journeyman Rocco Mediate birdied the final hole to cap off an error-free opening round and grab a one shot lead at eight-under.

Winner of five PGA Tour events but without a title since the Greater Greensboro Classic five years ago, Mediate rattled off three consecutive birdies from the 12th to charge into contention then drained a 23-foot putt on 18 for a round of 64.

Lurking one shot back are Brett Quigley, Woody Austin and Cameron Bateman on seven-under 67 with 2003 Buick champion and world number three Jim Furyk headlining a group one shot further adrift on 66.

"It was just solid," said Mediate, the 2000 Buick champion. "I putted really well, I made all the putts I should have made. I really can't say I was angry about missing any."

Runner-up to last year's winner Tiger Woods and coming off a second place finish at the US Open, Furyk continued his mastery of the Warwick Hills Golf Club mixing seven birdies - including four straight from the 13th - with a bogey to record his  34th consecutive under par round at the 7,127-yard layout.

Woods, who captured his 50th career title at Warwick Hills last year, is not back to defend his crown deciding to spend time at home with his new-born daughter.

After grinding it out at the U.S. Open in Oakmont, players teeing it up at Warwick Hills enjoyed a pleasant change of pace going from one of golf's toughest layouts to one of the easiest.

Warwick Hills was ranked the ninth easiest on the PGA Tour last season and overnight rain on Wednesday allowed golfers to be even more aggressive.

Crowd favourite John Daly, who received a sponsors exemption to gain entry into the $4.9 million event, got his week off to a solid start returning a three-under 69.

It marked the 12th time in 17 rounds the big-hitting American has broken 70 at Warwick Hills.