American Brian Stuard fired a blemish-free eight-under-par 64 to hold the first-round lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Starting on the back nine, Stuard made three birdies by the turn but then took the course apart on the back nine, sinking another five birdies, despite his round being interrupted by inclement weather.

“It was good day, I really had the putter working,” he told PGAtour.com. “I played pretty well tee to green and then made some putts. Coming back out the conditions were a little bit different but all in all it’s a good day.

“I have played well here in the past, I like the course, it seems to set it up well for me.”

His impressive round earned him a one-shot lead over Retief Goosen, who struck six birdies on the front nine, but was only able to add one more after the turn.

Five men, including Geoff Ogilvy, are tied on five under.

Rickie Fowler is well placed on four under after his 68, one shot better off than Jason Day, whose 69 was littered with four bogeys on his back nine after a blistering start.

Justin Rose was on one under through six when bad light suspended play, with plenty of the field unable to complete their round.