MADISON — Thursday’s first round of the Viking Classic was all about seeing the stars.

One of morning’s featured groups had three former British Open Champions competing at the Annandale Golf Club. The group featured former No. 1 in the world David Duval, two-time major champ John Daly, and 2004 British Open champ Todd Hamilton.

Duval, who has had the best 2010 season to date of the three sitting at No. 105 on the PGA Tour money list, was good also on Thursday. Duval had a 5-under going into his final hole at No. 9 when he pulled his tee shot way right and landed behind a magnolia tree. He had to take a drop, but rallied to make a 10-foot bogey putt for a 4-under, 68 score. Daly shot an even-par 72 and Hamilton was at 73.

Duval’s score put him two shots back of a six-way tie for the lead. Arjun Atwal, a winner this year at the Wyndham Championships in Greensboro, was the first of the Viking Classic field to post a 6-under 66. He was joined by Bill Haas, Bill Lunde, Ken Duke, Brett Quigley and Brendon de Jonge.

Atwal, who became the first Monday qualifier to win a PGA Tour event in 24 years, was glad to post a good score on a day where the winds were picking up in an otherwise gorgeous, sunny day at Annandale.

“I didn’t know what to expect because it’s been five weeks since I last played,” Atwal said. “The wind picked up on the last 10 holes and that has made this a challenging golf course. The last time I was here, the greens were much softer. Today, they were pretty firm and fast. It’s going to make for an interesting weekend.”

Haas, from South Carolina, made two birdies and an eagle on his last four holes to make up four shots and grab a share of the lead. He is one of five golfers in the field who has won this season, taking the Bob Hope Classic.

“To go from 2-under to 6-under in the last four holes makes for a nice day,” Haas said. “I was able to curl in my last putt on 18 for an eagle. I made a chip on 17. It was a good way to finish.”

Haas said the course is in the best condition he’s seen it in.

“I play a lot on bent Bermuda greens and these are the best I’ve seen,” Haas said.

Lunde, who also carded a 6-under, says Annandale will provide a worthy champion this week.

“Because the greens are so firm and speedy, you’re going to see some higher scores. The ball was just flying off the greens in our round,” Lunde said. Lunde won back in August at Turning Stone.

The star-studded group of the afternoon had 2009 Players Champion Henrik Stenson, three-time winner Sean O’Hair and regional favorite Boo Weekley. O’Hair tore up the front nine at 4-under and made the save of the day on No. 9.

O’Hair and Stenson both hit their tee shots way left on No. 9. O’Hair’s landed a foot inbounds and just a few feet from an Annandale resident’s backyard. Instead of going through the trees, O’Hair went over and landed the shot within 18 feet. He then stuck the birdie putt to go to 4-under. Stenson and Weekley both parred the hole.

O’Hair would play the back nine at even par and sits at 4-under going into today’s second round. Vicksburg native Heath Slocum, who played nine holes Wednesday at Vicksburg Country Club, was in 22nd place at 2-under.