COREY PAVIN, Jim Gallagher and John Wilson all shot rounds of six under par 66 yesterday to share the first round lead at the Bellsouth Classic at Atlanta Country Club. Russ Cochraa and Neal Lancaster were a stroke behind at 67.

Five players finished at 68, including defending champion Mark Calcavecchia and Zimbabwe's Mick Price.

"The key to my round was just hanging in there," said Pavin. "I didn't get off to a great start, but I got up and down a few times and just hung in there and things started to fall into place."

Pavin, the current US Open champion, has not won since his victory at Shinnecock Hills, but finished fourth three weeks ago at Bay Hill and has shot just one round over par this year. Pavin says that next week's Masters is not overshadowing his play this week.

"Next week doesn't start until next week. I don't think about what I'm going to do or try to accomplish until I get there, but part of playing here is to get ready for the Masters as well. My scheduling keeps in mind all of the majors and being as ready as I can be for them," he said.

The best score of the visitors from the European Tour was a one under 71 shot by England's Colin Montgomerie, the second ranked golfer in the world and a runner up last week to Fred Couples at the Players Tournament. Ian Woosnam, the 1991 Masters winner, was next at 72. Czechosloviakian born Alexander Cejka, now a German citizen, made his US debut on Thursday, shooting a 77.

Spain's Seve Ballesteros, who withdrew during the first round last week at the Players Championship because of his back, completed play shot a six over par 78.