ERNIE ELS fired a six under par 65 to take a one shot lead over. Mike Reid and Steve Elkington in the first round of the Buick Classic in Harrison, New York yesterday.

Two shots off the lead was Arjun Atwal, a 23 year old from India playing his first PGA tournament round. Atwal was tied on 67 with Greg Norman, David Frost, John Wilson and Costantino Rocca.

Els, fourth in the Buick Classic last year and second in 1994, made the turn at 30 and birdied the 10th to stand at seven under.