Jones into surprise Sawgrass lead

PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP US unless stated -8 Jones -7 Funk, Johnson, Westwood (GB) -6 Donald (GB), Garcia (Spa), Lewis -5 Quigley, Harrington (Ire), Singh (Fij), Estes, Tway Selected others: -3 Goosen (SA) -2 Woods, Mickelson, Poulter (GB) -1 Els (SA), Faldo (GB)

Former US Open champion Steve Jones took a surprise lead in the first round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass in Florida.

Jones made seven birdies in eight holes on his way to a 64 and eight under par.

Lee Westwood shared second alongside Americans Fred Funk and Zach Johnson on seven under, with Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia and JL Lewis a shot back.

Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh were in a group on five under, with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson two under.

Ernie Els also struggled, going out in 37 before finding two birdies to end the day on one under.

In contrast, 1996 US Open champion Jones posted a magnificent score after an early start.

"I've always liked the golf course here," he said.

"You just have to go out and swing the best you can and make the most of it and that's what I tried to do."

This course can bite you quite quickly Luke Donald

Englishman Donald went out in the first group and started on the ninth tee, firing seven birdies and one bogey on his way to a 66 and six under.

And despite some sparkling play, he was thankful for some good fortune on the 18th - where he just missed the water - and the ninth.

"You need those breaks," said the 27-year-old. "This course can bite you quite quickly and it kept the momentum going.

"I didn't think the drive on the 18th was going to be that close (to the water), but it cleared it by a couple of inches. I got away with that one."

While Donald was an early finisher, compatriot Westwood was one of the last men off the course after a superb 65.

And Westwood missed a chance to join Jones on eight under when he failed with a makeable putt on the ninth - his last.

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Harrington, who had his first career PGA Tour win at the Honda Classic last week, has been runner-up at Sawgrass for the last two years.

"I can't put a reason on it," said the Irishman. "I'm very pleased with today.

"Maybe my own expectations are a little bit high, but I felt the course was playing a little bit easier and a 67, it's a good return."

England's Ian Poulter and Nick Faldo made steady starts, with Poulter finishing on two under and Faldo one under, but despite an eagle two at the fourth, Darren Clarke ended the day on one over par.