• AT&T National, Round One

Sturdy Castro leads the way at Congressional

Billy Horschel set the standard early in Maryland © Getty Images

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AT&T National leaderboard

Roberto Castro recovered from an early set-back to top the leaderboard after round one of the AT&T National, carding a five-under score of 66 for a two shot lead over the chasing pack in Bethesda.

Starting on the tenth at the Congressional Country Club, the American made par on the opening hole before suffering bogey on the par-four eleventh, finding the water with his second shot.

Castro recovered immediately, sinking a 36-foot putt on the following hole and then completed back-to-back birdies with a fifteen footer at the 13th.

After parring the next five holes, Castro continued his good judgement on the greens at the start of his back nine - this time holing out from 27 feet to move to two-under.

Castro looked in fine touch on the dancefloor, sinking another long putt - this time from 18 feet - at the fifth before a marvellous approach shot at the sixth set him up to move four-under.

A fortunate chip in at seven provided Castro's third consecutive birdie, but it was not all routine from the 28-year-old. After finding the fairway at eight, Castro sliced his second shot deep into the rough and had to produce a remarkable recovery shot to get inside eight feet for par.

Billy Horschel set the standard early on Thursday, finishing with a three-under round of 68 in overcast conditions. The American, also starting on the tenth, opened with a birdie and was soon three-under after four. However, a bogey on the par-five third dropped him back before he sunk his twelve-foot putt on the eighth to restore the advantage.

Compatriot Bud Cauley joins Horschel on three-under, along with Canada's Graham DeLaet after both shot 68.

Ben Kohles and Jim Furyk lead a charge of players poised on two-under following rounds of 69, including Nicolas Colsaerts and Brandt Snedeker who are both within reach.

England's highest finisher was Brian Davis, who shot a one-under 70 along with Vijay Singh, Australia's Jason Day and Masters runner-up Angel Cabrera.

Elsewhere, Rickie Fowler and Camilo Villegas both signed for an even-par 71 - Fowler regained two shots having four-putted for double bogey earlier in his round.

Byron Nelson Championship winner Sang Moon-Bae hit two birdies in his last four holes to salvage a one-over round of 72.

Charlie Beljan holds up the rest of the field after shooting a 13-over par score of 84, while South African Rory Sabbatini withdrew from the tournament after completing just 12 holes.

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