KEY POINTS:
South African golfer Tim Clark, helped by a chip-in for eagle on the 15th hole, equalled the course record to grab a one-shot lead in the weather-hit Tour Championship today.
Bidding for a maiden PGA Tour title, Clark also reeled off six birdies on his way to a
flawless eight-under-par 62 in the opening round at a damp East Lake Golf Club.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland birdied the last four holes for a 63, finishing one ahead of burly American John Rollins.
Tiger Woods, red-hot favourite to clinch his seventh title of the year, was four strokes off the pace with seven holes remaining when play was suspended for the day.
Just over three hours of action were wiped out in the afternoon because of the threat of lightning in the fourth and final event of the inaugural FedExCup playoff series.
Woods had struck his tee shot to nine feet at the par-three 12th when the siren sounded for the final time and he narrowly missed his birdie attempt before play ended for the day.
Clark, a three-times winner on the European Tour, was delighted after shooting his lowest score on the PGA Tour.
"I'm very pleased with that," the 31-year-old told reporters after equalling the course record set by American Bart Bryant in the opening round in 2005.
"I've been playing nicely pretty much the last month and I felt comfortable going into last week's course.
"I just wish I had this back nine on Sunday as I would have had a 59," he added, referring to his outward 29 in the final round of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill outside Chicago.
Clark, a runner-up four times since joining the PGA Tour in 2001, conceded he had been fortunate to eagle the par-five 15th after chipping in from 60 feet.
"Even I will admit that was a bit lucky, there was a bit of speed on that one going down there," he said.
Harrington, who won his first major title in July after beating Sergio Garcia in a playoff at Carnoustie, felt he had benefited from the three-hour weather delay.
"I kind of got frustrated through the front nine and I felt a lot sharper when I came back out," he said.
"Four birdies to finish is always going to be a good day and the golf course is set up for scoring with the soft greens. On the back nine, I played some really exciting golf.
"I don't think I would have been capable of doing that this week if I had played last week," added Harrington, who skipped the BMW Championship to recharge his batteries.
"I did a lot of good things today and that is the sign of a player who is fresh."
Tee times for the second round have been brought forward by almost four hours with the remnants of Hurricane Humberto expected to move into the Atlanta area on Friday afternoon.
Showers and thunderstorms are predicted tomorrow, but better weather for the final two rounds.
- REUTERS
