Justin Leonard leads home challenge

American Justin Leonard moved into early contention at the U.S. PGA Championship on Thursday, giving himself an outside chance of qualifying for next month's Ryder Cup.

The 1997 British Open champion fired a six-under-par 66 in benign conditions at Whistling Straits, but knows he needs to win the tournament if he is to book an automatic place in captain Hal Sutton's U.S. team.

"I think the only statement I could make that would catch Hal's attention would be sitting in this chair (after having won) on Sunday afternoon," Leonard told reporters after finishing a stroke behind first-round leader Darren Clarke of Britain.

"Beyond that, I'm not too concerned about it. Right now, I have plans on playing in San Antonio (the Texas Open from September 16-19) and watching the Ryder Cup on television.

"Unless I do something wonderful over these next three days, that's exactly where I'll be."

Texan Leonard, 32, who reeled off five birdies in his last nine holes to vault up Thursday's leaderboard, lies 30th in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings.

He has to win on Sunday if he is to climb into the top 10 to earn an automatic spot in the team to take on Europe at Oakland Hills from September 17-19.

Whether or not that happens, the American was delighted to join his playing partners Clarke and South Korea's K.J. Choi in a barrage of birdies at Whistling Straits.

"Watching Darren and K.J. birdie the first hour that we played was fun," he said. "I think they were playing so well, I kind of got sucked into it on the back nine.

"We all definitely fed off each other. It was a fun day and a fun group to be a part of."

Clarke birdied the first four holes on his way to an opening 65 and the outright lead while Choi, who had set the early pace with five consecutive birdies, carded a 68.

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