Arjun Atwal, Jarrod Lyle and Chris Kirk are tied for the lead with 6-under 66s after the opening round of the Knoxville Open presented by Food City at Fox Den Country Club.
D.J. Brigman from New Mexico, Indiana's Chris Smith, Texan Kelly Grunewald, Argentinian Sebastian Fernandez and Californian Jeff Brehaut are tied for fourth with 5-under 67s, a shot further back.
"I guess we're back to the normal kind of golf after the circus last week," said Lyle, who tied for 48th at last week's U.S. Open. "Last week showed me I have got the game to play majors, not contend just yet, but make cuts and get my name up there a little bit more.
"I'm still really tired after last week," added Lyle, who has four top-10 finishes this year, including a victory at the Mexico Open. "It's amazing how much it takes out of you. I had never played a U.S. Open before, but your mind has to be so sharp. If you miss a two-footer, you may have a 10-footer coming back."
Atwal enjoyed two weeks off before arriving in Knoxville. "I sat on my couch, played with my kids and spent time with my family," he said. Atwal, the first native of India to win on the European Tour, started on the back nine and closed his round with three consecutive birdies.
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