Seven straight birdies for Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker collected seven straight birdies en route to an eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the USPGA Tour BMW Championship yesterday to establish a one-shot lead over fellow American Zach Johnson.

Snedeker, ninth in the FedExCup points standings heading into the event, started his round from the 10th tee with three straight pars before surging up the leaderboard with his birdie blitz. He went on to pick up a further stroke at the sixth and then signed for a superb bogey-free round.