Arjun Atwal fought back from being two-over after four holes to finish with a card of two-under 69 at tied 25th place after the opening round of the Barbasol Championships here.
Atwal had four birdies between 13th and 17th including three in a row from 15th to 17th at the RTJ Grand National course.
Daniel Chopra shot one-under 70, which included an eagle on par-5 fifth besides one other birdie and two bogeys and he was tied 47th.
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Saunders' 64 marked his third bogey-free score on the PGA Tour in his 24th start of the 2014-15 PGA TOUR Season, having earned his way out via the Web.Com Tour.
Saunders nearly claimed his first Tour title earlier this season at the Puerto Rico Open. With a final-round, four-under 68, he played his four-way sudden death with Alex Cejka emerging winner.
Lying one shot behind Saunders was Jason Gore who birdied four of his last five holes (Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 9) on way to a six-under 64.
Five players including Martin Flores, Will Wilcox, Carlos Ortiz, Carlos Sainz Jr and amateur Maverick McNealy are tied for third at 66 each.