Garcia's rebuilt swing is working well

The Spaniard, who has rebuilt his swing this year, carded a six-under-par 64 to join Open champion Ben Curtis at the top of the leaderboard.

But an impressive chasing pack has assembled just behind the top pair.

World number one Tiger Woods bounced back from a disappointing performance at last week's USPGA to go second on five under, alongside Briton Darren Clarke.

Curtis eyes double celebration

Curtis took the early lead in Akron, Ohio, taking just 23 putts, but he is hoping to take time out from the tournament to get married on Saturday.

"I was kind of lucky," said Curtis. "Right at the beginning I made some good putts and just didn't hit the driver very well until the last few holes."

Woods reeled off three straight birdies on the back nine and suffered just one bogey, while Clarke enjoyed one of his best rounds of the year.

"I played very nicely," said Clarke, who missed the cut at the USPGA Championship at Oak Hill last week.

"After last week when it was so difficult it's a relief to come here where the rough is not so bad."

Americans David Toms and Davis Love III fired rounds of 66 to stay in touch, while South African duo Retief Goosen and Ernie Els are lurking a further shot back.

Andy Miller shot a five-under-par 67 to share the clubhouse lead before rain halted play on Thursday.

The son of Hall of Famer Johnny Miller had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys to equal the efforts of Bob Tway, Kirk Triplett, Steve Pate and Paul Stankowski.