Behind Leaney, eight of the nine members of the European team on show hit under-par rounds.

Colin Montgomerie felt no pain from the back injury that has plagued him all season as he fired a 71 on his return to action after a three-week lay-off, and Padraig Harrington was similarly happy with his recovery from an ankle problem after a 69.

Thomas Bjorn also shrugged off concern over the neck injury that saw him withdraw from Wednesday's pro-am after three holes as he stormed home in 29 to card a 67, and Lee Westwood was unlucky not to score better than 70.

Only Welshman Phillip Price was over par after a 73.

"The back is actually settling down and hopefully with the work I'm doing to strengthen it that will continue," said Montgomerie after carding one birdie and 17 pars.

"Everything is okay, I played nicely but did not hole any putts unfortunately."

Westwood, who has slumped to 133rd in the world rankings, picked up two birdies and an eagle but dropped a shot on the 17th.

"I played well apart from one bad shot on the 17th and I could have shot 65," he said.

"But I feel like I am in control of my game and I can aim at the flags."

Leaney credited a new putting routine for his flawless eight-birdie round ahead of his attempt to join the US Tour.

"That has always been the goal but I missed out by one shot in 2000 and did not go last year because of September 11," the 33-year-old from Perth said.

Retief Goosen lies one shot back, and has his sights set on overhauling fellow South African Ernie Els to retain his crown as European number one.

The former US Open champion is currently just over �300,000 behind Els, but could wipe out that deficit with victory and the �315,000 first prize on Sunday.