Herman has only one top 10 since his victory in Houston last year and has slipped to No 89 in the world, meaning he likely will need a victory in the next few weeks of he wants to return to the Masters.

This was only a start, and looming behind him is The Open champion Henrik Stenson.

The powerful Swede has a plan for the tree-lined Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, and Stenson stuck to it on Thursday by hitting 3- and 4-iron off the tee when Charl Schwartzel and Bubba Watson were hitting driver.

Stenson’s strength is his irons, however, and he kept giving himself ample birdie chances.

He even laid so far back on the par-5 opening hole after making the turn that he 270 yards to the pin. He put that in the corner of a bunker next to the green and blasted out to a few feet for an easy birdie.

For the 456-yard sixth hole, Stenson hit 4-iron off the tee and another 4-iron toward the green. He missed it well to the right toward the gallery, but answered with a pitch-and-run to 3 feet for par. He also played bogey-free, needing a 12-foot par putt on the 12th hole to keep a clean card.

One day after an amateur’s shot in the pro-am hit a tree and struck Schwartzel on the wrist, he appeared to be free of pain. He just didn’t make enough putts, only had two birdies and opened with a 70.

Seamus Power of Ireland had a 66, the best score among those who played in the afternoon when the greens became crustier and the wind picked up a little more. Charles Howell III was in the group at 67.

Tyrone van Aswegen was two-under after 17 holes when play was suspended and leading the South African challenge. Ernie Els signed for a level par 71, while former US Open champion Retief Goosen had a five-over 76.

Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images