Agence France Presse

Chicago, September 11

South Africa's Rory Sabbatini notched seven birdies in a five-under 66 to seize a share of the first-round lead in the BMW Championship on Thursday.

Sabbatini was joined atop the leaderboard in the third event of the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff series by Steve Marino. Sabbatini capped his round with a birdie at the last, where he landed his approach shot within five feet and made the putt to grab his share of the lead.

Australia's Marc Leishman and American Bo Van Pelt were one shot back. Leishman only booked his spot in the third playoff event with an eagle at the final hole on Monday at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Tiger Woods posted a three-under 68 to head a group of six players that also included Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Colombian Camilo Villegas.

Woods said the remodeled course at Cog Hill required a little getting used to, even for a four-time champion. "I think anything under par is a really good score," said the US star, who had three birdies from within five feet. "Usually, it takes a little bit before the guys get accustomed to what the scoring is going to be. The whole idea is, I think more than anything, the guys are trying to get used to where to miss the golf ball, because the misses are so different than what they used to be."

Steve Stricker, whose victory on Monday in the Deutsche Bank Championship put him atop the FedEx Cup standings, carded a one-over 72 that included a three-putt from 10 feet. Heath Slocum, who won the first of the FedEx Cup events, The Barclays, and is third in the playoff standings behind Woods, posted a 70.

Seventy players qualified for the penultimate playoff event, and the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship with a $10 million bonus on the line. Sabbatini came into the week 35th in the standings, while Marino was 26th.