
The Offaly man is nine shots off the leader Russell Henley.
Shane Lowry will resume his second round from level-par at golf's Tour Championship.
The Offaly man fired in two birdies and two bogeys and is in a tie for 23rd at the last tournament of the Fed Ex Cup playoffs.
Rory McIlroy is in eighth place after the first round, as the Masters champion opened with a four-under-par round of 66 and he's five shots behind leader Russell Henley.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is two shots behind Henley into day two at East Lake.