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His current position makes quite a change from the recent grind of battling from the rear. "We older guys find it hard to become motivated when we have to shoot 58 to win," he said.

Love, who also started on the 10th, had a 68 which contained five birdies and a lone bogey at the 466-yard eighth where he found trees off the tee in attempting to hit a really big drive. "My only target right now is to play four, good, solid rounds," he said afterwards.

Lickliter, who had his best season on tour in 107th place on last year's money list, surpassed even his own expectations with a bogey-free round that included an eagle three at the fifth and birdies at the eighth, 12th and 16th.

One of the most popular performances of the day came from Len Mattiace, who will be recalled for a crushing eight on the famous 17th at Sawgrass while in contention for the Players' Championship. An absolutely charming man, Mattiace had five birdies and a lone bogey in an admirably solid 67.