Preston Stout starts the John Deere Classic with a 66 after aiming higher.

Preston Stout, the reigning NCAA champion and Oklahoma State senior, opened with a 5-under 66 at TPC Deere Run. He made six birdies, including four in a row across Nos. 17, 18, 1 and 2, and finished three shots behind the early leaders.

Stout's 66 was his lowest PGA Tour round, beating the 68 he shot at the 3M Open last year. He also led the morning wave in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee.