Golf: Perfect day puts Gay in Chrysler driver's seat

TAMPA, Florida - American Brian Gay fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 to grab the first-round lead at the Chrysler Championship today, the last full-field event of the PGA Tour golf season.

Gay, an eight-year tour veteran still chasing his first career win, made a sizzling start with birdies on four of his opening five holes then added three more on his closing nine at the Palm Harbor Copperhead course to take a two-shot lead from Mark Calcavecchia.

Calcavecchia, the 1989 British Open champion, also looked to be heading towards a perfect day until a bogey at the 16th left him with a 66.

Sweden's Daniel Chopra, the leading putter on tour, saw his bogey-free round spoiled when he dropped a shot at the last to card 67 alongside Americans Heath Slocum and Duffy Waldorf, and Steve Elkington, of Australia.

Former Masters champion Mark O'Meara was among a group of seven who carded 68s while world No 7 Ernie Els, who has gone two years without a PGA Tour win, headlines a large group sitting five back at 69.

The South African needs a top finish if he hopes to lock up a spot in the season-ending Tour Championships next week in Atlanta.

With only the top 30 money earners receiving invitations to the finale, Els currently sits on the cusp at number 30.

"I did miss some drives," Els said.

"The greens are probably as fast as I've ever seen them on tour so you have to be pretty accurate.

"I've got a lot of work left. I'm working on a couple of things on my swing."

Joining Els at two-under is Canada's Mike Weir, who sits 32nd on the moneylist and also needs a good result to clinch his spot.

Vijay Singh, the world No 5 and 2004 Chrysler champion, opened his account with 70 to move alongside Americans Joe Durant and Troy Matteson.

Durant collected his first win in five years on Monday (NZT) at the Disney Classic while Matteson has displayed fine late season form with four consecutive top-10 finishes, including his first career win a fortnight ago at the Las Vegas Open.

Australia's Adam Scott, the world No 4 and top ranked player for the US$5.3 million ($8.16 million) event, mixed two birdies with a pair of bogeys in his 71.

World No 6 Retief Goosen slumped shot 72.

The 2003 Chrysler winner, Goosen watched his round unravel over the final three holes with a bogey on the 16th and double bogey at the last to send the South African tumbling down the leaderboard.

- REUTERS