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In-form Australian Marc Leishman is in a four-way share of the lead after his first round of the Houston Open US PGA Tour event in Texas.

Marc Leishman has continued his strong start to the US PGA Tour season to be sharing the lead after his opening round of the Houston Open in Texas.

Leishman carded a five-under-par 65 to be tied atop the leaderboard with Americans Russell Henley, Talor Gooch and Luke List, who only managed 15 holes before play was suspended for the day due to darkness following an earlier rain delay.

Fresh off top-four finishes at the Shriners Children's Open and Fortinet Championship then a sizzling final-round 64 at the CJ Cup, Leishman had six birdies before dropping his only shot of the day at the par-4 18th.

He was leading outright until making bogey on the last.

"My irons were really on and gave myself a lot of chances and made the putts," Leishman said. "It was pretty stress-free.

"Disappointing to bogey the last and not have a bogey-free round, but on a course like this I'm pretty happy with just making one bogey."

Leishman's equal-low score of the day was his 10th round in the 60s from his past 13 rounds.

The leading quartet enjoy a one-stroke buffer over Jason Dufner, with six players sharing sixth spot after three-under 67s.

Adam Scott is the next-best-placed Australian, tied for 12th at two under.

Jason Day and Cam Davis were both level with the card through 11 holes when officials called it a night at Memorial Park, with Cameron Smith two over after nine.

American Tony Finau, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.12, had a 69, while former No.1 Brooks Koepka was even par with nine holes left.

Playing on a sponsor exemption, Koepka's younger brother Chase was three over through seven holes.