Bo Van Pelt was on the cast of supporting actors for this first tournament of the FedExCup playoff season, coming into the field ranked No. 104 of the 125 men qualifying for the post-season string of action.
If he keeps putting together rounds like he did on Thursday, Van Pelt might get his part expanded to leading man.
The 39-year-old Indiana native started his round with three straight birdies, and close it with an eagle on No. 17 to fire a 6-under 65 on Thursday, the low score of the round.
A whopping eight players are 1-stroke back at 5-under, most notably among them Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk. Mahan heated up late with four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine, while Furyk, who entered the Barclays in the top 10 of the points standings, had two stretches where he made three birdies in five holes.
Another 19 players are three strokes off the lead at 3-under, including big names like Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
Phil Mickelson shot an even par 71, as did US Open champion Martin Kaymer. Defending FedExCup champion Henrik Stenson fired a 1-over 72, while reigning No. 1 Rory McIlroy barely registered a pulse with his 3-over 74.
McIlroy, tied for 104th, was 1-under at the turn, but had a double bogey on 12, and bogeys on 13 and 18 to fall dramatically off the pace.
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