Alexandre Rocha nearly stopped playing golf last year, until two moves by the International Olympic Committee changed his mind.

And that's just one tiny part of his unbelievable story.

The world's 711th-ranked player -- who needed to survive a prequalifier, then a Monday qualifier, then a playoff, just to get into the field at PGA National this week -- shot a 4-under 66 Thursday, one shot back of Nathan Green and Michael Connell after the first round on a windy and unseasonably cool first day at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

"I needed a day like today like, you have no idea," Rocha said. "And it was for nobody. It's for myself."

The Honda is only his fourth PGA Tour event; the most recent was in 2003, and he's never made a cut. He lost his European Tour card last year and got status earlier this year on the Asian Tour, only after deciding that he wanted to continue playing golf for a living.

The IOC had much to do with that. First, they awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics to his native Brazil, then added golf to that program. Rocha -- who didn't know a word of English when he arrived at Mississippi State -- took those moves as signs of what he was supposed to do, so he recommitted to the game.

"I am surprised at how calm, how relaxed and how confident I felt all day," Rocha said. "That surprises me. I am not surprised about the fact that I can play proper golf. I've been working at it, and hard."

Only two men did any better.

Green's card was mistake-free, five birdies, no bogeys and only 25 putts. Not bad, considering he was the other guy in a group with major champions Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.

"You don't like embarrassing yourself in front of a crowd," Green said.

Oliver Wilson and Camilo Villegas also were tied for second with Rocha at 4 under.

• Malaysian Open: Rhys Davies and Ignacio Garrido shot 7-under 65s to lead after the first round at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Seven-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi had a 67 to tie for fifth.

• Australian Ladies Masters: Former American amateur star Amanda Blumenherst shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion Katherine Hull at the Royal Pines in Gold Coast, Australia.

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