The Offaly man is eight shots off the lead.
Offaly's Shane Lowry shot an opening round of 70 to leave him on even par after day one at the BMW Championship.
Rory McIlroy also scored a 70 to leave himself and Lowry eight shots off the lead.
The pair are both back out this evening from level-par.
Robert MacIntyre has boosted his chances of making Europe's Ryder Cup team by shooting an opening round 62.
The Scot holds a three-shot lead into today's second round at the PGA Tour Playoffs event at eight-under-par.
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