American Marco Dawson shot a five-under par 67 to take a one-shot lead in the rain-hit first round of the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta.

Dawson, who has never finished better than 71st on the PGA Tour money list, was one stroke ahead of Steve Flesch, Chris DiMarco, Scott McCarron, Brandt Jobe and Japan's Kaname Yokoo.

Heavy rains on Thursday forced the postponement of the first round and the Sugarloaf TPC layout was still wet enough that players were allowed preferred lies on the soggy fairways.

But 37-year-old, who is playing the PGA Tour on a medical extension this year after missing most of last year while recovering from back surgery, adapted to the conditions superbly.

"About this time last year, the disk was pushing on the nerve and I had pain all the way down my leg," Dawson said.

Pressure

"Finally, in New Orleans, I couldn't bend over to hit a putt or put a tee in the ground.

"I had a ruptured disk. When I went to see the doctor, there was good news and bad news.

"On Friday, I finally started to make some putts. When you're putting well, it takes a lot of pressure off the rest of your game."

John Daly bogeyed two of his final three holes to fall into a group at 69 that included Japan's Shigeki Maruyama.

Davis Love and defending champion Phil Mickelson both shot 70, while course designer Greg Norman joined two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain at 73.

American Flesch, rejuvenated after a good night's sleep, got to five under before giving back a shot with a late bogey.