Marc Leishman takes first-round lead at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio

Leishman holed eight birdies and had two bogeys as he claimed sole possession of top spot at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio on Thursday.

The Australian, who tied for fifth at The Open almost a fortnight ago, started on the back nine and sunk back-to-back birdies at the 16th and 17th holes to be a shot ahead of Ryan Moore, Charl Schwartzel and Justin Rose.

"I drove the ball well. It makes this course a lot easier when you're on the fairway," he said. "It's pretty tough when you're playing from the rough.

"Then I hit my irons really well and was rolling the ball awesome.

"So it's a pretty good combination for a tough golf course like this. Something I can hopefully keep going."

American Moore and South Africa's Schwartzel also started on the back nine, while Englishman Rose teed off at the conventional first hole as the trio started the co-sanctioned PGA and European Tour event with rounds of 65.

Moore went bogey-free on the opening day, sinking five birdies throughout the round.

Schwartzel did manage a bogey but had six birdies, with four of those coming in succession from holes four through seven.

Rose also had a blemish-free round, holing five birdies to end the day at five under.

Two shots further back at three under are Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, Graham DeLaet and Rickie Fowler.

Defending champion Tiger Woods headlines a group of players tied for ninth heading into the second day.

Woods shot a two-under-par 68 and he is joined by Jamie Donaldson, Brandt Snedeker, Keegan Bradley and The Open runner-up Sergio Garcia.

There is a logjam of 14 competitors level at one under, including world number one Adam Scott and The Open champion Rory McIlroy.

Australia's Scott - the 2011 winner - had three birdies to go with his two bogeys, while McIlroy shot four birdies, a double-bogey and a bogey in a tough start for the Northern Irishman.

Branden Grace, Harris English, David Howell, Noh Seung-Yul, Jimmy Walker, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Steven Bowditch, Chris Kirk, JB Holmes, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson and Thomas Bjorn are also in a share of 14th.