Merrick leads in Memphis

Golf:Just 11 days after winning his first PGA Tour title, rookie Keegan Bradley charged up the leaderboard in the opening round of the St. Jude Classic.

On a hot, humid day at the TPC Southwind, Bradley carded a three-under-par 67 to lie one stroke off the early pace set by fellow Americans John Merrick, Kris Blanks and Kevin Kisner.

Former US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa opened with a 68 while local favourite John Daly, previously a long-time resident in Memphis, returned a 69.

Bradley was delighted with his start after being grouped with fellow PGA Tour rookie Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela for the first two rounds.

"I feel great," said the 25-year-old after carding four birdies and a lone bogey. "I had a great pairing today with Johnny. It was a really fun group out there. It was a good day."

Bradley was catapulted into the limelight when he clinched his maiden PGA Tour title in a play-off with compatriot Ryan Palmer at the Byron Nelson Championship two weeks ago.

Magical though that day was for him, he still has plenty of other targets to reach before the end of this season.

"Some things change, but I set a group of goals before the year started and there's still a bunch that I would like to achieve," Bradley said. "I've got plenty more work to do."

Merrick was also in an upbeat mood after his round, especially given that he has limited playing privileges on the US circuit this season after finishing outside the top 125 last year.

"It's been a while since I got interviewed," the 29-year-old said with a grin. "It was nice to play well today. It was fun, I hit some good shots. You need to be on your game out there."

Merrick has recorded just one top-25 finish in eight PGA Tour starts this season and believes he has mainly been let down by his approach play.

"I've been hitting greens but not really getting it close," he said. "Today I hit some good shots and had some decent looks at birdies that were inside 10 feet.

"I felt my game has been close for a long time. Just a little bit more patience, a little bit more confidence and we'll see what happens."

Spanish former world number two Sergio Garcia had a day to forget as he battled to an eight-over 78 which included an ugly 11 at the par-five third where he dumped three consecutive shots into the water.

British world number two Lee Westwood, who won last year's title in a three-way play-off, was among the late starters.

Pádraig Harrington was also a later starter and was level par with four holes to play.