Atwal, who has made just one cut this season so far, had just one birdie against six bogeys as he struggles to stay afloat in the USD 5.7 million tournament.
Atwal bogeyed the third, fifth, sixth, seventh, 10th and 11th and his sole birdie came on the par-3 14th hole.
Chad Campbell, Vaughn Taylor and Colt Knost shared the lead at four-under 67. Campbell birdied four of his first seven holes, Knost birdied three of his last five, and Taylor holed out from the fairway for a closing eagle on the par-4 ninth hole at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Jim Furyk, the 2010 winner of this event and the FedEx Cup was one shot behind with Harris English, Charlie Wi and Matt Every.