FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD -3 D Clarke (NI), J Haas, J Kelly -2 D Toms, Z Johnson -1 P Harrington (Ire), J Daly, M Hensby (Aus), S Flesch, M Weir (Can), S Appleby (Aus), S Ames (Can), V Singh (Fiji)

Clarke and Americans Jay Haas and Jerry Kelly all shot three-under-par 67s at the East Lake Golf Club.

They lead by a shot from David Toms and rookie Zach Johnson, with Ireland's Padraig Harrington and world number one Vijay Singh among a group on one under.

The elite 30-man field in Atlanta is the final event of the US Tour season.

Wet and muddy conditions greeted the players after heavy rain early on Thursday.

But Clarke had three birdies in his first seven holes before a bogey on the fourth saw him reach the turn in two under.

Further birdies followed at the 12th and 14th before a bogey on the 16th prevented him from claiming the outright lead.

"I had a few mud balls but everybody was going to have those today," Clarke said. "Mine didn't go too far astray."

It is the third time this year Clarke has led after the first round of a PGA Tour event.

He led the Bay Hill Invitational before finishing tied for sixth and also led the PGA Championship but had to settle for a tie for 13th.

"I haven't won anywhere, so that's been very, very frustrating," Clarke said of his winless streak that extends to the 2003 NEC Invitational.

"I've worked on a lot of different aspects this year, both fitness and swing-wise, and so far this year it hasn't quite all come together at the same time."