The 42-year-old produced a superb round to miss the course record by one shot after pars on the final two holes at Ohio’s Firestone Country Club.

Only Jose Maria Olazabal, Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Hideki Matsuyama have shot 61s on the course. 

American pair Rickie Fowler and Kyle Stanley each lie one shot behind Poulter today on home greens.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is tied seventh on five under in Akron, Ohio.

Tiger Woods started his bid for a ninth title with an opening round of 66.

The American made five birdies on the way to his lowest score in round one of a Professional Golf Association Tour event since August 2015.

Forty-five of the 71-man field finished under par in favourable conditions.

"It would have been lovely to get another one or two birdies, but eight under is a great score on this course," said Poulter after his round.

"I had a lot of fun. 

"Whenever you shoot 62, especially on this golf course, you must have done a lot of good things. I gave myself loads of chances.

"Tied 13th is as good as I've done here and that is not good enough. 

"So it was good motivation to come out, try to be aggressive and post a good number."

Action will continue tomorrow.