Scott Brown and Andrew Loupe posted 6-under-par 66s and claimed a one-shot lead after the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Thursday in San Diego.
A large group at 67 included Billy Horschel, Patton Kizzire, Tom Hoge, Rob Oppenheim and Harold Varner III in the PGA Tour event.
San Diego resident Phil Mickelson was three shots back after carding a 3-under 69 on the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Club.
Brown got off to a rough start on the South Course with two birdies and two bogeys on his opening nine holes but sizzled on his closing nine with six birdies.
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"I hit it really good coming in, the last 11 holes really," Brown said. "I had a lot of good looks and made a couple of lengthy putts and capitalized on the short ones.
The key to success this week, Brown said, will be to avoid the thick rough.
"Fortunately, I drove it good and hit a lot of good iron shots," he said. "I'll just try to continue to drive it good and hopefully make some more birdies over there (Friday on the North Course)."
Loupe played the North Course and gained a share of the lead with an eagle-3 on the 18th hole. He began his round with an eagle on No. 1 followed by a bogey at No. 2 and had four birdies and another bogey before his big finish on the final hole.
Mickelson, playing the South Course, benefited from a run of three straight birdies from No. 13 to No. 15 before closing with a bogey at No. 17 and another birdie at 18. Mickelson last won the event in 2001.
Defending champion Jason Day of Australia opened with a par-72 on the North Course.
