Tom Lehman, Scott Verplank and Brad Elder shot seven-under-par scores of 64 to hold the joint first-round lead in the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

By far the best shot of the day, and what was believed to be a first on the tour, was recorded by Andrew Magee, who had a hole in one at the par-four 17th. He finished on 66.

Elder, a 25 year old from Oklahoma who won over $700,000 on his first season on the US tour last year, could afford a bogey at the sixth in his round. He shot eight birdies, five in succession from the 13th.

A group of six players lying one shot off the lead included Tiger Woods, who had a steady round of six birdies and 12 pars.

In Sydney, Paul Gow set an Australasian tour record low score when he carded a 12under-par 60 in the first round of the Canon Challenge.