Seamus Power starts his second round at the Wells Fargo Championship just two shots behind leader Francesco Molinari after a strong opening round in North Carolina.
The Waterford golfer carded five birdies and a bogey during his first round at Eagle Point, picking up shots on three of his opening four holes on the back nine.
Another birdie on 17 left him four under-par around the turn. A fifth birdie four holes from home was offset by a bogey on the final green to leave him on a round of 68.
There was less good fortune for Shane Lowry on his return to the course Stateside. The Offaly man is nine strokes back after an opening round 75.
Back-to-back bogeys on five and six was followed by another on eight, leaving him with plenty of work to do around the turn. His only saving grace was a birdie on 12 which helped him bounce back from a fourth bogey on 10.
Seamus Power is within touching distance after his opening round at the Wells Fargo Championship. Image: USA TODAY Network/SIPA USA/PA Images
Graeme McDowell made up the the remaining Irish contingent, who sits five shots back after an opening round 71.
Just two birdies and a solitary bogey in his opening round leaves him well positioned to make ground on the leaders on Friday afternoon.
World number one Dustin Johnson returned to the course for the first time since falling and badly bruising his back on the eve of The Masters.
The American carded four birdies on his return and felt no lingering effects of his back injury and sits two under-par.
"I hit the ball great, no issues," Johnson told reporters after his round. "I just need to get some more rounds in, get some more reps, but I feel like the golf swing is in good shape.
"If I hit it like I did on Thursday over the next few days, I will be right there on Sunday."
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