Taylor takes charge at Heritage

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -8 V Taylor -7 J Furyk -6 T Pernice, B Mayfair, D Waldorf Selected others: -2 I Poulter (Eng), B Davis (Eng) -1 B McDowell (NI), G Owen (Eng) level E Els (SA), J Rose (Eng) +5 D Clarke (NI)

America's Vaughn Taylor leads the Heritage Classic in South Carolina after a first-round 63.

Taylor, who carded nine birdies, leads compatriot Jim Furyk by one stroke.

English Ryder Cup hopefuls Brian Davis and Ian Poulter both shot 69s, while Ulsterman Darren Clarke, who almost won the event last year, shot a poor 76.

South Africa's world number five Ernie Els managed only a level-par round of 71, as did defending champion Peter Lonard of Australia.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and England's Greg Owen carded 70s, while Owen's countryman Justin Rose returned a 71.

Davis bogeyed the 10th, his first, but picked up shots at the 12th and 16th - both par fours - to turn in 34.

Another dropped shot at the par-four first was followed by three birdies in six holes but he missed an 11-foot putt for par at the eighth to fall back to two under.

Poulter, who missed the Masters last week having dropped out of the world's top 50, enjoyed a bogey-free opening nine of 33 and his only bogey came at the 436-yard 11th.

Clarke, who came into the tournament on the back of a decent performance at the Masters, had seven bogeys.