Sabbatini leads the Barclays Classic

HARRISON, N.Y., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Rory Sabbatini moved into position to take the lead in the FedEx Cup race Thursday by firing an opening-round 63 at The Barclays at Harrison, N.Y.

In the first round of the first tournament in the first PGA Tour playoff ever, Sabbatini took a one-shot lead at the Westchester Country Club over K.J. Choi and Rich Beem.

Sabbatini has been vocal in saying that No. 1 ranked Tiger Woods is beatable, but he has not been able to do it. Holding a one-shot lead over Woods going into the final round of the recent Bridgestone Invitational, Sabbatini wound up eight shots back.

Woods, however, chose to skip the first of the four events that make up the playoffs, and will likely have to make up ground over the final three tourneys. A victory by Sabbatini this week would give him a 6,250-point lead over Woods as they battle for a $10 million annuity.

Choi would also pass Woods with a victory, as would Ernie Els and Carl Pettersson, who shared fourth place at 65 with Brian Gay and Steve Flesch.

Briny Baird, Heath Slocum and Jeff Maggert were all at 66, while Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson were part of the group at 67.