Tiger Woods's regular practice partner Arjun Atwal showed form the American can only dream about of late when he fired a course record-equalling 61 for a first-round lead at the Wyndham Championship Thursday. The Florida-based Indian took advantage of soggy conditions at Sedgefield Country Club that allowed preferred lies and players to fire fearlessly at the pins to take a two-stroke lead over American Brandt Snedeker. “I didn't really expect a 61 today,” Atwal told reporters after sinking three birdies in his last four holes to card a nine-under round. “I was expecting to play well, because I've been swinging the club nicely, but 61 is pretty special. “There was no wind, the greens were soft – all you had to do was hit fairways and it was go from there. “I saw some of the scoring from the morning and even though it was raining, those guys were still taking it deep, so I knew the course was playing pretty easy.” The 37-year-old played eight tournaments earlier this year on a medical exemption after hurting his shoulder but failed to earn enough to regain his full exempt status on the PGA Tour and only snuck into the tournament after tying for first place in a Monday qualifier. “If I win I'll go take a month off,” he joked. Snedeker, a stroke ahead of a large group tied for third that includes 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover, won this event three years ago when it was held at another course and did not seem fazed by the change of venue. Players at the Wyndham Championship are striving to collect late points to qualify in the top 125 for the four lucrative FedEx Cup playoff events, the first of which starts at the Aug. 26-29 Barclays Classic. Pariya stretches lead Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul stretched his lead in the 60,000-dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia Friday on a day which saw the cream rise to the top with some brilliant low scoring. Pariya opened up a three-shot advantage after carding a third round six-under-par 66 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.He leads on 13-under-par 203 from Singapore's Mardan Mamat who stormed back into contention with a 65. Malaysia's Danny Chia also moved up the leaderboard after returning a 67 and is in solo possession of third place.
