Clarke Shares Lead at East Lake

  
Darren Clarke made a good start in his quest for a 2004 tournament victory firing a first round 67 - three under par - in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta.

Clarke is currently tied for the lead with Americans Jay Haas and Jerry Kelly.  Darren had five birdies and two bogeys in the opening round on an extremely wet course due to two days heavy rain.

"I played ok all day and missed a short putt on 15 to go five under. Three under is a pretty good score today. It was very wet out there due to overnight rain and we weren't playing preferred lies on the fairways which most of us would have expected. I hit it pretty solid and have started getting back a bit of length with my irons. The putts rolled well but I was disappointed with the three putt on 15", said Clarke.

Ernie Els took out the frustration on his putter during his two over par 72 and had to complete his round using his wedge to putt with as he had changed the shape of his putter.  Davis Love had to retire part way round due to back problems and playing partner, Sergio Garcia, completed the round on his own signing off with a 71. World No 1 Vijay Singh lies two back on one under.