American Steve Marino has a one-stroke lead over four other players after the first round of the AT&T National golf tournament. As VOA's David Byrd reports from Bethesda, Maryland, Marino shot a five-under-par 65 on the Congressional Country Club Course.

Steve Marino, 03 Jul 2008

Steve Marino started this tournament the way he had hoped - with a birdie (one stroke under par on a hole) on his first hole.  The American added four more birdies before ending his round at 5-under-par, 65.

"I mean it was a great day," said Marino. "I started off well with a birdie on one. Had another tap-in birdie on three and a kind of a snake on four and after that I just played solid. Two more birdies, no bogeys. It was a great day."

American Jeff Overton is tied with compatriots Frank Lickliter and Bob Estes and Australian Rod Pampling at 4-under-par, 66.  Another group of players - including Alex Cejka of Germany, Australian Stuart Appleby and Fredrik Jacobsen of Sweden - are tied for sixth place at 3-under-par.

Defending champion K.J. Choi of South Korea is part of another group tied at 2-under-par.