FORMER US PGA champion Wayne Grady fired a six under par 66 to take a one shot lead in the first round of the Coolum Classic yesterday.

Grady headed a quartet of fellow Australians - Peter Lonard, Craig Parry, David Bransdon and Philip Chapman - on the Coolum resort course in Queensland, Australia.

Play was briefly interrupted by a thunderstorm, with several players having to return early this morning to complete their opening round.

Grady, who shot seven birdies and one bogey, played in the same group as his father under the tournament's pro am format in the early rounds.