Gay is 96th on the money list and has had only one top 10 this year

R1 LEADERBOARD:
US unless stated
-7 B Gay
-5 M Calcavecchia
-4 H Slocum, D Chopra (Swe), S Elkington (Aus), D Waldorf
Selected others:
-2 M Weir (Can), E Els (SA)
-1 V Singh (Fij)
Level A Scott (Aus)
+1 R Goosen (SA)

American Brian Gay carded a bogey-free 64 to lead a host of stars after the first of the Chrysler Championship.

The eight-year PGA Tour veteran, who is still chasing his first career win, birdied four of the first five holes at the Palm Harbor Copperhead course.

Gay is two shots clear of 1989 Open champion Mark Calcavecchia.

Ernie Els is among a large group on two under, which is one better than Vijay Singh and two better than Adam Scott - the best-ranked player present at four.

The last full-field tournament of the US season, the Chrysler Championship has attracted a number of big names eager to either nail down their places in the season-ending Tour Championship next week in Atlanta or find some form ahead of that event.

With only the top 30 on the money list earning a place at the Tour Championship, Els, who has not won on the PGA Tour for two years, is in the vulnerable position of holding the last invite at the moment.

Also on two under in Miami is 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir. The Canadian is currently 32nd on the money list and needs a good week here.

Also present this week is world number six Retief Goosen, the 2003 Chrysler champion. But the South African endured a torrid finish to his round, dropping three shots in his final three holes, to post a one-over 72.