Casey in position for $10 million win

Casey, left off the European Ryder Cup team by captain Colin Montgomerie, shot a 4-under 66 at the East Lake Country Club to tie Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald for first place.

Jim Furyk was alone in fourth at 67 and K.J. Choi was fifth at 68.

Only the top 30 on the FedEx Cup points list were eligible to compete this week in the last of the PGA Tour playoff events. Any of the top five on that list would win the FedEx Cup and its accompanying $10 million with a victory this week, no matter how any of the others finish.

Casey was in fifth place on the points list prior to this week.

The other members of the top five found themselves trailing after the first round. Points leader Matt Kuchar shot a 72 and was alone in 19th place. Dustin Johnson, No. 2 in points, had a 73. No. 3 Charley Hoffman fired a 71 and No. 4 Steve Stricker had a 74 and was in front of only three players.

Their struggles opened the door for a number of players to grab the FedEx Cup and the huge first prize, although Casey was in the best position after the first round. Donald began the tournament in seventh place on the points list, Furyk was 11th and Ogilvy 12th.

Phil Mickelson, who won this event last year, shot a 69 and was tied for sixth. Mickelson came into the tournament in 10 place on the points list and has a chance at the FedEx Cup title with a victory this week.

This is the first PGA Tour tournament in 13 years in which Tiger Woods is not eligible to play. He wound up in 51st place on the points list and is preparing for next week's Ryder Cup in Wales.

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