BARCLAYS CLASSIC RELATED STORIES Barclays Classic Preview Round 1: Adam Scott tops leaderboard with 65 Round 2: Singh & Howell tie for lead Round 3: Billy Andrade edges a shot ahead Round 4: Vijay Singh returns to winning ways Barclays Classic Scores Mickelson using Barclays as US Open warm up Lots to play for at Barclays Top field set for Barclays Classic 2006 PGA Tour Schedule GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Fred Couples to enlist some unusual help Paula Creamer seeking another home town win Jay Haas on brink of another senior money title Justin Leonard looking to break Texas Open record Father & Son event sign up with Sky Sports GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS The Pocket Golf Professional Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Best Value Golf Insurance

Adam Scott tops leaderboard with 65

Australian Adam Scott fired a six-under-par 65 to seize a one-shot first-round lead in the 5.75 million-dollar Barclays Classic.

With the US Open at Winged Foot looming next week, world No. 8 Scott nabbed an eagle and five birdies a the Westchester Country Club.

"If I keep giving myself chances, I'm pretty sure I'm going to win here," Scott said. "Again this week, that's the goal, to get in position for a run on Sunday and then over to the US Open next week."

England's David Howell birdied the last three holes to complete a 66. Just four days after completing a nightmare round of 83 to fall out of contention at the PGA Memorial, the European Tour No. 1 recorded eight birdies.

The last of Howell's birdies came when he two-putted from more than 90 feet at the 505-yard ninth.

It could have been even better for Howell, who is ranked 10th in the world. He had a 25-foot birdie chance on the long fifth - his 14th - but three-putted for a bogey.

"I just let it slip, really. A lapse in concentration," Howell said.

Billy Andrade also shot a 66.

US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman was six-under until he bogeyed the same three closing holes which Howell birdied to settle for a 68.

"I played really well for most of the day, but the last few holes coming in was a bit of a disappointment, obviously," Lehman said. "It would have been nice to finish that round off because I was playing so well, six-under through 15 holes, and then the three straight bogeys hurts."

With a win, Lehman could move up from 19th to sixth in the race for places on his own team. Lehman has not ruled out playing at the K Club in September if he qualifies.

Two-time winner Sergio Garcia of Spain shot a 73 and defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland carded an even more disappointing 74.

Harrington, who lost a playoff to Garcia two years ago and then edged Jim Furyk for the title last year with a dramatic 66-foot eagle putt on the final green, had double bogeys at both the fifth and short 14th.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson carded a 70. Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland birdied 17 and 18 to join Mickelson.

Sweden's Carl Pettersson, who won the Memorial last week, carded a 74.

South African Ernie Els was due to play here, but after a closing 81 in the the PGA Memorial last Sunday, the South African star decided to take the week off before the US Open.