Fowler had a change of caddies and putters and finally started to see some putts fall, though still not enough to his liking. Day recovered from a spiked fever and burning sensation in his eyes and played bogey-free Thursday at the TPC Southwind. Both had a five-under-par 65s.

That wasn't good enough to lead the FedEx St Jude Championship, only to hope.

Si Woo Kim holed out from 167 yards in the 18th fairway for eagle to cap off a superb finish of six-under on his last six holes, giving him a 62 and an early share of the lead with JJ Spaun.

But as the FedExCup Playoffs begin, the emphasis is as much on who advances. Only the top-70 from the 125 players who qualified advance to the BMW Championship next week, and then the top-30 move on to the finale at East Lake.

Cameron Smith started his campaign to win the FedExCup title with a 67. PHOTO: Stacy Revere/Getty Images.

Fowler made it on the number – No.125 – and needs his best golf of the last two years to get through to the next round.

"Nothing to lose," Fowler said.

"Kind of leave it all out there, see what happens, but definitely happy with the start."

Day and Fowler were outside the top-125 three weeks ago until the PGA Tour decided that players suspended for going over to Saudi-funded LIV Golf should not count in the standings. That improved them nine spots, and Day also was helped by a 66 on the final day in Detroit to tie for 17th and secure his spot in the Playoffs.

That was a good thing, too, because last week he opened with a 67 and then had to withdraw with an illness. He knew he was in trouble when he fell asleep at breakfast before the next round. His eyes were burning. His fever spiked. Day wasn't sure how bad the fever was, but he checked his temperature the next day when he felt much better and it was 38.3 Celsius.

The big takeaway was that he felt he was trending in the right direction, and the game felt that way on a soft, muggy morning that feature occasional light rain.

As for the pressure? Day feels it's always there for him, but at this point, he's trying to let good golf happen instead of trying to force it, and not get too caught up in his position.

He was among 13 players at 65 or lower when the morning wave finished. That would be enough to get him through, but there's a long way to go.

"It does nothing for me to look ahead," he said, "but I do want to play next week."

Tony Finau, coming off two straight victories, and JT Poston, were at 64. The group at 65 included Sam Burns, the No.3 seed.

Scottie Scheffler has the luxury of a slow start as No.1 in the world and in the FedExCup, and that's a good thing as the Masters champion had a lacklustre 71.

Australian World No.2 Cameron Smith opened with a 67, the same score as countryman Cam Davis.

Marc Leishman led at six-under at one point, only to drop five shots in his last five holes including a triple bogey on 18 in a round of 69.