Gay in the lead at The Barclays

2007-08-23

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HARRISON, New York (Ticker) -- Brian Gay shot a 6-under-par 65 to take the clubhouse lead at the $7 million Barclays Classic onThursday.

Gay, who started on the back nine, birdied six of his last 10holes to earn a one-stroke lead over Briny Baird, Heath Slocumand Jeff Maggerty.

Phil Mickelson headlines a five-way tie at 4-under at theWestchester County Club's West Course.

The Barclays Classic is the first leg of the inaugural FedExCupplayoff series.

There is plenty of incentive since a $10 million bonus will beawarded to the points leader of the series played over fourstraight weeks, ending with the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

One player missing among this week's 144 entries is world No. 1Tiger Woods, who has cited fatigue following a busy summerschedule. He won the PGA Championship two weeks ago at steamySouthern Hills.

Each tournament in the series features a $7 million purse and a$1.26 million first prize. The other tournaments in the playoffseries are the Deutsche Bank Championship, the BMW Championshipand the Tour Championship.