Zach Johnson shares lead in PGA playoffs

NORTON, Mass., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Zach Johnson and Jason Day shared the first-round lead Friday at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which went on despite the fringe affects of Hurricane Earl.

The first outer bands of rain from the storm swept over the TPC-Boston course during the afternoon, but the opening round of the second PGA Tour playoff event was completed before the winds began to blow.

Nevertheless, those with early tee times had the best of it and both Johnson and Day took advantage of perfect scoring conditions in the morning to shoot an 8-under-par 63.

Johnson is hoping to be selected to the U.S. Ryder Cup team next week and Day held the 36-hole lead at the playoff opener in New Jersey last week.

Ryan Palmer, Charley Hoffman, Rory McIlroy, Ryan Moore, Hunter Mahan, Brian Davis, D.J. Trahan and Geoff Ogilvy were all a shot off the lead. Ogilvy had the lowest round among the afternoon starters, who went through an 80-minute rain delay when the first of the Earl-related showers hit the course.

Tiger Woods, playing in the afternoon, struggled to a 1-over 72 and was in danger of missing the 36-hole cut. If he does not play on the weekend, Woods will be eliminated from the FedEx Cup race.

"I just didn't have it today," Woods said. "It was a bad day all around."

Only the top 70 from the Deutsche Bank field of 99 players will advance to next week's BMW Championship. From there, the top 30 on the FedEx Cup points list will move on to the Tour Championship.

Matt Kuchar, who jumped to the top of the points list by winning last week's tournament, was tied for 16th place after a 66. Defending Deutsche Bank champion Steve Stricker was at 65.

Phil Mickelson, who missed the cut last week, shot a 69 during the afternoon.