PGA Wyndham: Matt Every shoots 61 to claim lead

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Matt Every shot a 9-under-par 61 to take the early lead in the first round of the Wyndham Championship on Thursday in steamy conditions at Sedgefield Country Club.

Every posted a 29 on the front side before finishing with two birdies on the last four holes for the best mark among golfers with morning tee times. The other half of the 156-golfer field began in the afternoon.

Webb Simpson and Vaughn Taylor as well as Australians Cameron Smith and Tim Wilkinson each posted a 63.

Every drained a shot from the fairway on the first hole, beginning the round with an eagle.

Simpson, who began on the back nine, shot 7-under 28 for the first half of his round. He played his final nine holes in even-par, with two birdies and two bogeys.

Davis Love III, a three-time winner in Greensboro on the PGA Tour, checked in with 64.

This is the final tournament prior to the FedEx Cup playoffs, so golfers are jockeying for position in the standings or trying to make it into the top 125 to qualify for the playoff field.