FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
(US unless stated)
-6 B Gay -5 J Walker -4 JM Olazabal (Sp), G McDowell (NI), M Gronberg (Swe), C Stroud, R Beem -3 F Jacobson (Swe), J Kelly, R Allenby (Aus), D Toms, V Taylor, R Johnson (Wal), W Austin, L Roberts, G Boros, R Barnes, V Veazey
Selected others: -2 P Mickelson, R Goosen (SA) Level S Garcia (Sp) +2 P Harrington (Ire), J Daly

McDowell accepted a sponsor's invite to play at the St Jude Classic

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell carded a four-under-par 66 to lie just two strokes off the lead after the first round of the St Jude Classic.

McDowell rolled in six birdies in Memphis to finish in a group on four-under, also including Jose Maria Olazabal and Mathias Gronberg.

Brian Gay of the United States leads on six-under after a round of 64 with Jimmy Walker one shot behind.

Welshman Richard Johnson is on three under, one ahead of Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson, the world number two, is playing in his first tournament since his wife Amy was diagnosed with cancer.

The three-time major winner took three weeks off and said his comeback was made easier because of his playing partners, Padraig Harrington and Cameron Beckman.

"The pairing I had with Padraig and Cameron was a perfect pairing to make the day lighthearted," said Mickelson.

"We talked about a number of things that were not related to what's been going on and so it has been really good.

"It was a good way to get started. It's not on top of the leaderboard but it didn't hurt me any."

Harrington, who started with a disappointing two-over 72 at TPC Southwind, missed the 2005 Open Championship when his father died of cancer.

606: DEBATE Have your say on the St Jude Classic

"I know when my dad had cancer, the easiest time was on the golf course because you don't have to answer any questions," said Harrington.

"You don't have to explain yourself on the golf course. You've got to remember - we're quite proficient at dealing with that little white golf ball, not quite as good about explaining our emotions."

John Daly, making his first US appearance since serving a six-month suspension from the PGA Tour, joined Harrington on two-over after three straight bogeys at the start of the back nine.

But McDowell made excellent use of his sponsor's invite as he claimed a place on the leaderboard.

The 29-year-old had intended to play the Austrian Open this week but the tournament was moved to September, giving him the chance to cross the Atlantic for some competitive practice ahead of next week's US Open.

"It was nice to go out there and make a few putts and post a good number," said McDowell, who is now free of the shin splints problem in his right leg which troubled him last month.

"I figure it's good preparation for next week for the fitness levels and concentration levels in general.

"Bit of a last minute request to come here and really, really happy that the sponsors and the tournament director decided to give me an invite here.

"I'm really happy to have the chance to prepare and really, really happy when I saw the golf course. I thought it was beautifully set up and it's certainly an interesting part of the world," he added.

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