Horschel shot a five-under 65 on Thursday, tying him with Joseph Bramlett for the first-round lead in the Honda Classic at the PGA National at Palm Beach Gardens.

Geoff Ogilvy and Min Woo Lee led the Australian charge, finishing the day three shots further back, tied for 14th, with four groups unable to finish their round as darkness fell.

"I just played really solid," Horschel said. "Didn't do anything special, hit some quality iron shots here and there.

"I wouldn't say everything was sort of automatic and it was easy. I had to work my way into making some good swings here and there. But overall, it was a really solid day of golf."

The 65 was Horschel's best score in 33 rounds as a pro at PGA National. He had shot 66 on two previous occasions.

Bramlett scrambled nicely when he had to. He missed six of 14 fairways and hit 13 of 18 greens.

"I definitely like when the conditions are difficult and guys have to really earn it," said Bramlett, who has never won on the PGA Tour.

RIGHT: Playing his second event on the PGA Tour this year, Ogilvy wound back the clock on day one. PHOTO: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

"That's historically always been in my favour."

Pierceson Coody – a sponsor exemption playing his first PGA Tour event as a professional – finished the first round at four-under, alongside Justin Suh.

Coody has two wins in 15 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour since turning pro in June.

"It really just feels like another professional event," the grandson of 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody said.

"I've only played (15) professional events. But other than the big grandstands it's not that different.

"You're just playing golf, you're trying to put a good score together. No real nerves out there. Just happy to play well."

Suh missed a 10-foot birdie putt on his last hole – No.9 – that would have tied him for the lead.

Play was suspended for darkness just past 6pm local time, with four groups unable to finish. Carson Young was at four-under with three holes left to play.

Cameron Percy carded a one-under 69 to finish day one tied for 27th, while Greg Chalmers was even and sits in joint 49th.

Other Australians include Brett Drewitt and Aaron Baddeley, both one over in joint 62nd, with Cameron Davis and Harrison Endycott tied for 83rd a shot further back.