Peter Malnati continued his good form, shooting an eight-under 63 to lead the Bermuda Championship by a stroke after the opening round.

The American mixed nine birdies – including five straight from the ninth hole – with one bogey at Port Royal Golf Course on Thursday.

Malnati's five straight birdies tied his career-best for most consecutive birdies in a PGA Tour round, while it marked the third straight tournament at which the 33-year-old has posted a score of 63 or better.

Having last won on the PGA Tour in 2015, Malnati entered the tournament on the back of a runner-up finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship and top-five result at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Malnati is a stroke ahead of Doug Ghim and Ryan Armour, who both produced bogey-free opening rounds.

Doc Redman, Vaughn Taylor and Chase Seiffert are a shot further back.

Hunter Mahan, the former world number four who has slipped to 1,227th in the rankings and missed the cut in 20 of his past 29 events, is among a group of eight players at five under.

Defending champion Brendon Todd could only manage an even-par 71 in the first round to be back in a tie for 80th.

Meanwhile, Fred Funk, 64, carded a two-under 69 playing in the same group as his son, Taylor, who managed a 73.