(Reuters) - Patrick Reed gave his Ryder Cup hopes a timely boost as he charged into a share of the early first-round lead at The Barclays on Thursday with defending champion Jason Day in hot pursuit, two strokes back.
American Reed opened with a sizzling five-under-par 66 in the first of the PGA Tour's four lucrative FedExCup playoff events, finishing level with Scotland's Martin Laird on a sunny but breezy day at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Day, who triumphed by six shots last year when the tournament was held at Plainfield Country Club, returned a 68.