FORT WORTH, Texas — Rickie Fowler was very aware of the possibility of a record round at Colonial when he got to his last hole.

One mishit prevented that from happening, and kept him from even sharing the first-round lead. Fowler’s approach from 125 yards away hit the No. 9 green and spun back in the water, leading to a closing double-bogey 6.

Despite that very visible miscue, Fowler finished with an opening 63 Thursday that included an eagle and eight birdies. He had a 29 over his final nine holes — the front side at Hogan’s Alley.

“It’s not always fun to finish with a double (bogey). ... It’s a sorry way to finish,” Fowler said. “A 29 with a double is not too bad. ... I’m excited to be playing well this week and kind of draw off the good out there today. A 63 to start off with is pretty awesome.”

And good enough to leave the 22-year-old Fowler, the PGA Tour’s top rookie last season, a stroke behind co-leaders David Toms and Chez Reavie. Their bogey-free rounds matched the lowest 18-hole scores on the PGA Tour this season, and were the best for an opening round.