Lee Westwood enjoys major boost

Lee Westwood laid down a marker for next week's US Open by taking the first‑round lead at the St Jude Classic in Memphis.

The world No3 fired a seven-under-par 63 at the TPC Southwind — covering his first nine holes in a blistering six-under 29 — to finish one ahead of American Casey Wittenberg.

Westwood, a runner-up behind Phil Mickelson at the US Masters in April, felt Southwind would provide him with an ideal tune-up for Pebble Beach next week.

"It's a real solid test with a lot of intimidating tee shots," said the Englishman.

"I like to be competitive before a major. I played Houston before the Masters, and being competitive means more to me than actually adapting to the conditions. I like to get used to making the three, four-footers when they mean something."

The only blemish, he felt, was a missing short birdie putt at the ninth, his last.

"Sixty-three is always a good start," he said. "I couldn't be disappointed with that. It could have been better but I'm not going to cry too much from missing from four feet on the last."

Ireland's three-time major winner, Padraig Harrington, opened with a five-birdie 65 in his first tournament since having surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee two weeks ago.

The threat of lightning meant play was halted early, leaving 20 golfers to complete their opening round today.