Pampling leads Aussies at Congressional

EPA ©

Australia's Rod Pampling overcame a poor start to be tied second after the first round of the US PGA Tour's AT&T National tournament on Thursday.

Pampling made two bogeys in his first six holes before pulling out six birdies in the last 10 holes for a four-under-par 66 at the Congressional Country Club.

Seeking a third US tour win and his first in more than two years, Pampling was one shot behind American leader Steve Marino and tied with Americans Jeff Overton, Frank Lickliter II and Bob Estes.

Australians were well-placed after the first day with Stuart Appleby a shot behind Pampling while Robert Allenby shot 68, Gavin Coles 69 and John Senden 70.

Appleby was feeling confident.

"I like the way I'm playing and I'm feeling comfortable out there," said the Victorian. "I've got some good stuff going on. I like the course like this.

"It's in front of you and you don't need to play a hundred practice rounds to get the feel for it."

Marino, who has had three top 10 finishes this year and earned nearly $US1.1 million in prize money, conceded "there's a long way to go" in his bid for a maiden PGA Tour title in his second season.

"The guy that's leading the first round I would say the majority of the time, they don't go on to win the tournament," he said.

"The tournament really doesn't begin pretty much until the back nine Sunday if you want to win."

The tournament is hosted by Tiger Woods but the world number one was forced to skip the event to recuperate from knee surgery following his triumph at last month's US Open.

Defending champion K.J. Choi of South Korea carded a two-under 68 to lie three strokes off the pace, while American Rocco Mediate, the US Open runner-up, finished at three over 73.