Piller pleased with opening 67

After rolling in a 4-footer to save par on the 18th, Martin Piller was all smiles approaching the scoring tent. Currently mired in 123rd on the Web.com Tour money list, Piller's play so far this year hasn't been anything to write home about - with only one made cut in his last seven starts.

But the hot Indiana weather is no bother to the Texan, and Piller even told his wife earlier this week that he felt good about his play in the practice rounds. Comfortable in the conditions, Piller got off to a good start at Victoria National, shooting a 67 that leaves him currently in solo second - two back of leader Omar Uresti.

"I feel like I'm back home, playing in Dallas," Piller said. "This (weather) is really no big deal for me. It feels nice."

On the 'visually intimidating' track, as Piller deems it, driving the ball in play is critical if birdie chances are to be expected. The Dallas native never had a problem keeping the ball in the fairway - hitting 12 of 14 fairways in what he deemed one of the best ball-striking days of his life - and gave himself enough birdie looks to shoot a positive score.

Walking off the course, he had done just that - having made six birdies, with just one bogey on the card.

"This is one of the better ball-striking rounds I've probably ever had," Piller said. "I wasn't in a whole lot of trouble. I don't think I was ever in the (thick) rough off the tee."

And he knows that he has to keep it up, if he wants to keep his name on the leaderboard for the next few days.

"You've got to hit it good," Piller said. "You can't fake it around here. This is a course that demands a lot of your game - off the tee, and into the greens."

Still without a top-20 finish on the year, Piller needs a good week to help boost his chances of maintaining full Web.com Tour status for next year. The 26-year old played the PGA Tour in 2011, so he has proven that he has the talent. He just needs to show it.

A good week here could help Piller get himself back on the right path.

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-In his post-round interview, Piller displayed a disarming personality and easygoing sense of humor. He seems like a guy who doesn't like to take things too seriously - a trait that could bode well if he puts himself in contention come Sunday.

Take this quote, explaining why he liked his chances to play well this week (in an offbeat tone, of course).

"I got my hair cut last week, and I clipped my toenails this morning," Piller said. "And I figured that would be good enough."

Who knows, it just might be.