American Bart Bryant birdied two of the last three holes to grab an early one-shot lead in the Tampa Bay Championship first round at Palm Harbour on Thursday.

The 45-year-old PGA Tour veteran rolled in a 16-footer on the 18th green to complete a flawless six-under-par 65 on the challenging Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

In overcast conditions, compatriots Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry and Jeff Maggert opened with matching 66s with Swede Carl Pettersson among a group of three on 67.

Of the other early starters, world number seven Justin Rose of Britain returned a 70, ending the day level with twice US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa.

Bryant, who won the last of his three PGA Tour titles at the 2005 Tour Championship, birdied the seventh and eighth to reach the turn in two-under 34.

He picked up further shots at the par-four 10th and par-five 11th before taking early control with his birdie-par-birdie finish.

World number three Ernie Els, tournament favourite after winning his first title on US soil in nearly four years at last week's Honda Classic, was among the day's late starters.

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