Golf: Elkington leads in Georgia after birdie blitz

Steve Elkington birdied the final three holes and carded an eight-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson after the first round of the BellSouth Classic in Georgia.

The Australian overcame a double-bogey on the third hole with a remarkable seven birdies on the front nine at the TPC at Sugarloaf. He started a string of four straight birdies on the fourth and reached the turn at five-under 31 before adding three more on the back nine.