Casey sets pace in U.S. golf tournament

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - In-form American Hunter Mahan, Britain's Paul Casey and South African Rory Sabbatini grabbed a share of the lead at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday with world number one Tiger Woods in hot pursuit.

Mahan, Casey and Sabbatini fired matching three-under-par 67s to set the first-round pace in slick, sweltering conditions at Firestone Country Club.

Woods, hunting his sixth victory here in nine appearances, opened with a 68 to share fourth place with fellow Americans Mark Calcavecchia, Boo Weekley and Arron Oberholser, Briton Lee Westwood and Australian Stuart Appleby.

Mahan, who clinched his maiden PGA Tour title at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut six weeks ago, birdied three of the last five holes to maintain his golden run of form.

"It's exciting to play this good, to feel like I'm finally reaching my potential," the 25-year-old Californian told reporters. "I'm just going out there and letting go. And I love this golf course. It sets up well for me.

"My only concern is the fact that Tiger has been here forever and knows this place pretty well. Other than that, I feel very excited to play."

Like Mahan, Casey surged up the leaderboard with a strong finish after dropping two shots in his first five holes.

"I'm very, very, very happy to be in with a 67," said the Englishman, who tied for fourth at Firestone last year. "These greens are as fast as you're going to see all year and the golf course was extremely difficult out there today."  Continued...

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