Fast start for Rory in Boston

McIlroy: one shot behind leaders

First-round leaderboard:
(US unless stated)
J Day (Aus) -8
Z Johnson -8
B Davis (Eng) -7
C Hoffman -7
H Mahan -7
R McIlroy (NIr) -7
R Moore -7
G Ogilvy (Aus) -7
R Palmer -7
DJ Trahan -7

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Zach Johnson and Jason Day share the lead after the opening day of the Deutsche Bank Championship, but Rory McIlroy sits just one shot off the early pacesetters.

Johnson and Day both produced opening rounds of 64 to top the leaderboard in Boston on a day when the effects of Hurricane Earl produced a one-hour delay.

Tee-off times in Massachusetts were brought forward and precautions were being taken to avoid damage if the hurricane hit.

The edge of the storm, which was making its way up the east coast of the America, brought lightning with it, forcing a 65-minute suspension.

But it did not faze McIlroy who put himself in contention for a second PGA Tour win of the season with a 64 to form part of an eight-man group in third place.

Alongside the young Ulsterman are England's Brian Davis, Americans Charley Hoffman, Hunter Mahan, Ryan Moore, DJ Trahan and Ryan Palmer and Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

Indeed, it proved a good day for the European contingent with Luke Donald and Fredrik Jacobson a shot further back at six-under with Steve Stricker and Paul Casey and Martin Laird - runner-up at The Barclays last week - amongst those at five-under along with Vijay Singh.

It did not prove such a productive day for Tiger Woods who carded a one-over 72 to finish well down at tied 87th in the 99-man field.

It could have been worse for the world number one, though, who found himself at four-over through six holes before rallying with three birdies.

Work to do for Woods

But it means Woods missed the opportunity to push his Ryder Cup wildcard claims to American skipper Corey Pavin and could now also struggle to qualify for the next event of the FedEx Cup play-off series.

Only the top 70 players make it through to the weekend rounds at TPC Boston and Woods needs to finish no worse than 57th this week to ensure he will be playing in the tournament.

There are no such fears for Johnson who sent a timely message to Pavin with his flawless opening round that featured eight birdies and not a single bogey.

Day managed no fewer than ten birdies as he claimed a share of the lead but dropped shots at both the fourth and sixth.

Padraig Harrington's erratic form continued with the European Ryder Cup wildcard shooting a 74 that included two double-bogeys to end the opening round second last with just Webb Simpson below him at four-over.