The Australian contingent will rue late stumbles after Englishman Paul Waring claimed the surprise first-round lead at the PGA Tour's all-important Houston Open.
Waring fired a seven-under-par 63 without a bogey to earn a one-stroke advantage over former US Open champion and 2025 runner-up Gary Woodland.
Woodland's fellow Americans Sam Burns, Michael Brennan and Tom Hoge all shot 65s at Memorial Park Golf Course to land in a tie for third.