Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy finished three shots adrift after the first round at the Tour Championship to remain in contention for the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup title.
Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk moved ahead in the race for the 6 million pounds bonus as they shared the lead on four under par. Bubba Watson was on three under with McIlroy two shots further back in the Tour finale at East Lake in Atlanta.
Victory either for McIlroy, Horschel, Kirk, Watson or Hunter Mahan would secure the season-long title and bonus, The BBC reported.
McIlroy had four birdies and three bogeys in his opening round as he went out in 34 and came back in 35. He said that regardless of whatever is at stake in terms of prize money, he would just like to win the FedEx Cup.
The World number one added that with the year that he has had he really wants to finish it off well.
The Tour Championship is the last in the four FedEx Cup play-off events with a field of just 29 having been whittled down from 125 since Mahan won the opening event.
More From This Section
US Ryder Cup players Patrick Reed and Jim Furyk were also at three under alongside Australian Jason Day, while England's Justin Rose finished two over and Germany's Martin Kaymer three over.
Fifth-ranked Mahan's bid for the crown looked to be over as he shot a four-over 74 in a tie for 27th, the report added.