Seamus Power sits just inside the top-20 in Bermuda despite a frustrating finish to his opening round at Port Royal GC.
The Waterford golfer has happy memories of the event, having triumphed at the Robert Trent designed layout four years ago, his second and last PGA Tour victory.
He got off to a terrific start on Thursday, with four birdies in his outward nine to reach the turn in 32 strokes.
Power added three further birdies between the 10th and 14th holes to reach seven under par.
However, he went into reverse over the closing stretch, with loose tee shots costing him dropped shots on the 15th and 16th holes.
At five under par, Power trails the leader Chandler Blanchet by four strokes.
Blanchet, who has yet to win on the PGA Tour, recorded two eagles and six birdies en route to a nine under par 62.
He leads by one stroke from a quartet of players on eight under, which includes Corey Conners.