• Verizon Heritage, Round One

Choi in charge at Verizon Heritage

K.J. Choi didn't always get it right off the tee, but his short game was firing © Getty Images

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K.J. Choi followed up his fourth-place finish at The Masters by shooting a 64 to claim the clubhouse lead at seven-under on day one at Verizon Heritage.

World No. 33 Choi's short game was immaculate in his eight-birdie round, helping to atone for some wayward tee-shots. Choi, who hit 50% of his fairways, needed just 23 putts across the opening 18 holes.

The South Korean is enjoying a successful 2010 season, having made the cut in each of the eight PGA Tour events he has competed in this year - with a scoring average of under 70. He leads the tournament by two strokes from Mike Weir and England's Greg Owen.

Alongside Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia is in a tie for fourth after signing off on a five-birdie 67 in which he hit an impressive 79% of his fairways. The Spaniard has endured a difficult season to date - just one top-25 finish - and has plummeted to 19th in the world rankings.

In a bid to improve his fortunes, Garcia has decided to experiment with a lighter grip - a move that has reaped immediate dividends."I've been having a lot of trouble with my right hand," he said. "[So I've tried] a weaker grip. I lost a little distance, but it feels like I'm able to keep my arms and hands a little tighter. So we'll see how it goes."

Luke Donald bounced back from failing to make the cut at The Masters by carding a two-under 69. Donald's approach play - so often his strongest suit - was firing, although he will be disappointed with his performance on the greens after requiring 27 putts in all.

Another Englishman who failed to make the cut at Augusta was Paul Casey, and his disappointing run continued as he finished the day four-over. Casey was forced to withdraw from the Houston Open with a shoulder injury, and five bogeys across the 18 holes suggests that he is struggling for rhythm following that enforced absence.

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