Weir goes three clear after course record tying 61

NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Canada's Mike Weir built on a burst of six birdies in the first seven holes to surge three strokes clear after the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship on Friday.

The 2003 U.S. Masters champion made the most of calm, receptive conditions at the TPC Boston to deliver a putting master-class and equal the course record with a sparkling 10-under-par 61.

Left-hander Weir narrowly missed sinking a 60-foot eagle putt from the back fringe at the par-five last before knocking in a four-footer for his 10th birdie of the day.

"I wish I could bottle that," the 36-year-old told reporters after taking command of the second event in the lucrative FedExCup playoff series which wraps up the PGA Tour's regular season.

"It was one of those rare days with my putter I hadn't had in a while. Everything seemed to look easier.

"I made about a 15-footer on the first hole, another one on the second and then had about maybe eight feet on the third. I holed another 10-footer on four."

Weir, who has recorded top-seven finishes in two of his last three tour starts, totaled only 21 putts. He single-putted 15 times, and all nine holes after the turn.

"I just tried to stay in that frame of mind when I got on the green, just remembering the last putt, how that felt," he said after shooting his lowest score on the PGA Tour.

"I did that all the way round."

FedExCup points leader Vijay Singh, bidding for his third tour title in five starts, also took advantage of the soft greens by firing an eight-birdie 64.

The smooth-swinging Fijian, champion here in 2004, rattled off five birdies in six holes from the second to surge into a share of second place with Americans John Merrick, Briny Baird and Heath Slocum.

IN FLOW

"I'm playing well," said Singh, 45. "I'm coming off a victory last week and I'm just in a flow.

"I don't feel any pressure at the moment and have a great attitude on the greens. I feel really comfortable."

Singh, who moved to the top of the points list by winning last week's Barclays Classic in a three-way playoff, set up five of his birdies with approach shots to within two feet.

"I've been hitting the ball pretty much like that for the last week," the three-times major winner said. "Even on the practice range it feels good.

"The conditions today were great. There's no wind and the pins are very fair. That's why you've got a lot of guys shooting low numbers."

Others taking advantage of the conditions included Ernie Els (66), Jim Furyk (66), Spaniard Sergio Garcia (67) and last year's U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina (67).

American world number two Phil Mickelson, the holder, bogeyed his penultimate hole for a 69 while Australian Adam Scott, the tournament's inaugural winner in 2003, carded a 70.

However, British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland found water at the last for a triple-bogey eight and a 75, matching the worst score of the day in 115-strong field.

The top 70 on the points list following this week's event qualify for the BMW Championship in St Louis starting on September 4 before the leading 30 players advance to the Tour Championship finale in Atlanta starting on September 25.

(Editing by John O'Brien)