The 26-year-old from Cape Town mixed two bogeys with six birdies, including a slick 21-footer at the par-three last.

"It was really quick down there," he said. "Any time you hit that green from the tee you're pretty happy.

"I managed to start the putt on line and it was really nice to see it go in."

Although conditions were relatively benign at the start of another crisp, bright day, scoring was by no means easy in the afternoon breezes with several of the pins tucked away on the greens.

Only six players in the 27-man field were under par for the round.

The Tour Championship brings together the top 30 money winners on the PGA Tour.

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