American John L Lewis and Zimbabwean Andrew McLardy share the first-round lead in the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Lewis carded a bogey-free round on the par-71 course, with seven birdies helping him to a total of 64 for yesterday's play.

Lewis, who returned to the PGA Tour in 1998 after prior membership in 1989 ans 1995, broke through to earn his first Pga Tour title after 113 events at this event two years ago.

McLardy, who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, managed four birdies on the front nine and four on the back nine- the only blemish being a bogey five on the par-four 15th- to finish tied with Lewis on seven-under-par.

The 27 year old, who only turned professional four years ago, managed five birdy-threes during the opening round.

One shot further back are the trio of Jerry Smith, Paul Gow and Stephen Allen.

Australian Allen got off to a flying start with an eagle-three on the second hole and managed a bogey-free round to finish on 65.

Ireland's Richie Coughlan got off to a very slow start carding a five-over-par 76.

A double-bogey six on the fourth hole, a triple-bogey seven on the sixth and a bogey-four on the seventh proved crippling for the Irishman from Birr, Co Offaly who managed to complete the back nine in a more encouraging one-under-par 35.