Kelly sets the pace in Carolina

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Kelly enjoyed his best round of the year at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Thursday, carding 10 birdies against just two bogeys.

He played both the front and back nine at four under, missing the course record by one shot.

After missing five cuts in his first seven events this year, Kelly finished in a tie for fifth at the US Masters last weekend.

"It was a solid ball-striking day and a solid putting day," said Kelly. "I had a lot of kick-ins, but I made some 20-footers, which was a good combination."

South Africa's Ernie Els, who has six top-10 finishes in eight previous trips to South Carolina, opened the round with birdie-eagle before carding a 65 to sit second behind Kelly.

"I birdied the first and then I eagled the second, so that was really the perfect start," said Els. "I got in a good frame of mind, and felt like I hit the ball solidly. My game was in good shape."

Jose Coceres of Argentina and Stephen Leaney of Australia are both three shots back following first-round 66s.

US Masters champion Zach Johnson carded a one-under-par 70 along with defending champion Aaron Baddeley of Australia.

Scottish amateur Richie Ramsay shot a first-round 75.