John Senden

Australia's John Senden made a strong start as Padraig Harrington upstaged Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy with a 64 on the opening day of The Barclays.

Harrington made six birdies on a tough back nine to finish seven under par and lead Americans Nick Watney and Brian Harman by one stroke.

Senden was the best of the Australians at three under after a 68 to tie with Woods, while world number six Adam Scott, Jason Day, Greg Chalmers, Rod Pampling and Geoff Ogilvy all shot one under 70s.

Needing a captain's pick from Jose Maria Olazabal to make the European Ryder Cup team, Harrington knew had to produce a standout performance at the Bethpage Black course.

After bogeying the third, Harrington recovered with birdies at the fourth and seventh before blitzing the back nine.

However, the marquee match-up everyone came to see was that of FedEx Cup leader Tiger Woods and world number one Rory McIlroy.

Woods looked chirpier than usual, with the 23-year-old Irishman said to be good friends with the American, who carded a three-under 68 after a few errant shots early.

McIlroy started the better with three birdies on the front nine but fell away to finish five shots off the lead with a 69.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, fresh from his first win at the Wyndham Championship that ended a four-year title drought, is two strokes off the pace at five under with American Pat Perez.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson and KJ Choi were among those at 67.