SEA ISLAND (UNITED STATES) - Erik Compton started his day by putting on extra clothes to battle a morning chill but it didn't take him long to get hot once he teed off at The McGladrey Classic.
Erik Compton plays his tee shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the Shriners Hospitals Open at TPC Summerlin on October 17, 2014
The 34-year-old dual Norwegian-American rolled in birdies on his first two holes en route to a five-under 65 to grab a share of the lead with three others after the opening round at the $5.6-million US PGA Tour event in Georgia.
Compton, a two-time heart transplant recipient, said he cut his pre-round warmup routine short at the Sea Island Resort course -- and it appeared to pay off.
"It was nice to get off to a good start. It was a little chilly this morning, so I shortened my warmup and wrapped myself in a bunch of clothes," said Compton. "The greens are really quick. If you're playing well, there are some scores out there."
Compton was joined atop a crowded leaderboard by Brian Harman, Will MacKenzie and Michael Thompson, who set a 54-hole record at this event three years ago.
Chesson Hadley posted a four-under 66. He was joined in fifth place by Andrew Svoboda, Jason Kokrak, Jim Renner, Patton Kizzire, Shawn Stefani, John Peterson and Park Sung-Joon.
Australia's Aaron Baddeley and South African Rory Sabbatini headline a 16-man group that are just two shots adrift.
Harman played the back nine first and he began with four pars in a row. He finished strong by making birdie on two of his final three holes.
"I was nervous starting out," Harman said. "It was windy and cold this morning. I finally started getting comfortable and played better toward the end. I finished very nice."