Casey shares lead at Akron
Paul Casey grabbed a share of the overnight lead at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational after carding an opening three-under-par round of 67 at the Firestone Country Club.
Teeing off from the 10th hole, the Englishman began his round with bogeys at the 12th and 14th before getting into the groove with a birdie at the 16th and carving out four more over the rest of his first round.
That leaves him tied in first place with American Hunter Mahan and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini at the head of the 83-man field, world number two Jim Furyk having withdrawn before play got under way with an upper back injury.
Defending champion Tiger Woods leads a pack of six players, including England's Lee Westwood, a stroke back on two under.
Justin Rose was one of five players a further shot back at one-under while Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Carl Pettersen and Anders Hansen were among a group of seven at level par on a congested leaderboard.
Montgomerie carded a one-over par 71 at Firestone Country Club that put him just four strokes adrift.
An eagle three at the par-five second hole gave England's Justin Rose a boost which helped him to a one-under round of 69.
Open champion Padraig Harrington returned to action for the first time since his maiden major victory at Carnoustie a fortnight ago and carded a two-over-par 72.
