Sweet start for Apples

Stuart Appleby carried the Australian flag with a bright start to the delayed US PGA BMW Championship.

Appleby fired a four-under-par 66 to be locked with Steve Stricker, Kenny Perry, Tim Herron and Andres Romero in a tie for second.

Colombian Camilo Villegas heads the field courtesy of his five-under 65.

Villegas recorded eight birdies but suffered back-to-back bogeys at the 9th and 10th holes and took another on the 18th to trim his lead over the field in half.

"I hit a lot of great shots out there, gave myself a lot of birdie putts," the 26-year-old from Medellin said.

"Unfortunately I finished with a bogey but I'll be back tomorrow and hopefully put another good number on the board."

Showers wiped out Thursday's scheduled opening round, prompting tournament officials to plan for 36 holes on Saturday in order to complete the event on time and at full length.

Appleby will go into the 'Super Saturday' full of confidence after his strong start, but Geoff Ogilvy was the only other of his countrymen to better par.

Ogilvy signed for a 69 with triumvirate of Adam Scott, John Senden and Matthew Goggin were one stroke worse off.

Aaron Baddely and Robert Allenby are stuck at one-over-par.

First Round of The BMW Championship (Par 70)
-5: Camilo Villegas 65
-4: Steve Stricker 66, Kenny Perry 66, Tim Herron 66, Andres Romero 66, Stuart Appleby (Australia) 66
-3: Tim Clark 67, Chez Reavie 67, Brian Gay 67, Fredrik Jacobson 67, Dudley Hart 67
-2: Ernie Els 68, Anthony Kim 68, Phil Mickelson 68, J.B. Holmes 68, Sergio Garcia 68, Jay Williamson 68, Lucas Glover 68, Charley Hoffman 68, Stephen Ames 68
Also:
-1: Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 69
E: Adam Scott (Australia) 70, John Senden (Australia) 70, Matthew Goggin (Australia) 70
+1: Aaron Baddeley (Australia) 71, Robert Allenby (Australia) 71