Mahan fires 62 for four-shot lead at Barclays

PARAMUS, New Jersey (Reuters) - American Hunter Mahan fired a nine-under-par 62 to seize a four-shot lead in Thursday's first round of the Barclays Classic, the opening event of the U.S. PGA Tour's FedExCup playoff series.

Mahan launched his round in spectacular fashion by holing out a 100-yard second shot at the par-four first for eagle and followed with eight birdies against a lone bogey on the 7,319-yard Ridgewood Country Club layout.

The 26-year-old Mahan also finished with a flourish, sinking a three-foot putt to birdie the last for a four-stroke lead over Briton Paul Casey on the parkland course.

"It's perfect conditions," Mahan told reporters about the lowest round at Ridgewood since its three nines designed by A.W. Tillinghast opened in 1929.

"You've got great weather, the course is in perfect shape right now, playing in the morning helped a lot and the greens were a little bit more receptive.

"You can give yourself a lot of good looks, if you hit a lot of fairways."

The 18 holes used for the Barclays is a composite of the best holes from the club's 27. Ridgewood's previous low score was a 63 shot by Byron Nelson in a friendly round in 1946.

LIVELY ROUND

Casey was alone in second on 66 after a lively round that featured eight birdies and three bogeys.

Tied at 67 were Australian Mathew Goggin and Americans Bo Van Pelt, Kevin Streelman, Charley Hoffman and Dudley Hart.

Steve Stricker, last year's winner when the tournament was played at Westchester Country Club, shot 68 as did Australian Adam Scott, Jesper Parnevik of Sweden and Americans Rich Beem, Bubba Watson and George McNeill.

The threesome of Padraig Harrington of Ireland, Phil Mickelson and his fellow-American Kenny Perry -- the top three on the FedExCup points list -- finished farther back.

World number three Harrington, whose U.S. PGA triumph this month gave him victories in three of the last six major championships, shot one-over 72, number two Mickelson had a one-under 70, and Perry posted 69, seven shots behind Mahan.

"It's going to be hard to run away," Mickelson said about Mahan building on his lead. "I think a lot of guys will be in striking distance on the weekend."

Mahan, striving to impress U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger for consideration as one of four picks to round out the squad for next month's matches against Europe, said his opening fireworks were a shock.

"I hit two really good shots," Mahan said. "I hit it exactly the way I wanted to and it went in. That rarely happens. I was surprised and excited."

Mahan single-putted nine times and needed just 23 putts on the small greens, including a 50-footer for birdie at 14.

(Editing by John O'Brien)