David Toms fired a five-under 67 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the Wachovia Championship.
Toms, the winner of the inaugural Wachovia Championship in 2003, has battled back problems all year, but found himself one ahead at Quail Hollow Club.
Phil Mickelson and Jason Bohn are knotted in second place at minus-four.
Mickelson was two-under through his first 15 holes thanks to three birdies and a bogey. He got to three-under with a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-five seventh, but it was a vintage Mickelson shot that got to him within one.
The three-time major winner missed the green with a seven-iron at the ninth. He was pin-high, 25 feet from the hole and Mickelson chipped in to register his 68.
"It was a good day," said Mickelson, who has not played since a tie for fifth at the Masters three weeks ago. "It felt good, and it's good to see some positive results from the time I spent the last couple weeks."
Mickelson, Toms and Bohn all benefit this week from the absence of the defending champion. Tiger Woods won the title last year, but knee surgery a few weeks back caused him to miss his title defense.
That opened the door for Toms to take the first-round lead for the first time in over two years.
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