May17 Sutherland leads pga

Kevin Sutherland is leading the AT&T Classic after the first round in Atlanta.

He went out in 33 with just one bogey, and came back in 32 for his seven-under total.

He has a two-shot lead over three other players, including veteran Tommy Armour. Brit Brian Davis is also in the top 10 at three under.

Local resident Stuart Cink is at -2 and fulfilling his billing as one of the favourites.

Cink, a four-times PGA Tour winner, has a home at the hosting Tournament Players Club Sugarloaf and knows the undulating, par-72 course as well as anyone in the field.

He has produced six top-10s at the event, including a runner-up spot behind David Duval in 1999, and will tee off in Thursday’s opening round fresh from his best performance of the year.

“I’m hitting the shots that I’m looking for,” Cink, the world number 18, told reporters after tying for third at the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass on Sunday.

“That’s the thing I like about my golf game right now is that I’m producing the shots that I’m trying to produce.

“While I’m hitting the odd crooked one or not getting up-and-down here and there when I’d like to, I’m getting a lot closer and a lot better. Mentally I’m in a better place than I was a short time ago.”

The 33-year-old from Alabama fired a flawless, six-under-par 66 in the final round at the Players to finish three strokes behind tournament winner Mickelson.

“A round like that, with a little bit of pressure, a little bit of nerves out there and some of those shots coming down the stretch, can only do you good for memory’s sake,” said Cink, who has three top-10s in 11 PGA Tour starts this season.