Palmer matches Westwood, Chappell for PGA lead

American Ryan Palmer, seeking his first victory in over four years, chipped in for birdie from 35 feet Thursday grab a share of the first-round lead at the PGA Championship.

Palmer, who last won in January of 2010 in Hawaii, made five birdies on the back nine -- his opening side of the day -- and then made his stunning chip at the fifth to move level for the lead. Britain`s Lee Westwood, who birdied his last four holes thanks to a 40-foot birdie putt at the ninth, and American Kevin Chappell, who closed with a birdie at 18, were in the clubhouse on six-under 65 while Palmer had three holes to play. In the clubhouse on 66 were Italy`s Edorado Molinari and Jim Furyk, last year`s PGA Championship runner-up and a loser of his last seven events when leading after 54 holes, most recently two weeks ago at the Canadian Open. England`s Luke Donald was four-under through nine holes while Sweden`s Henrik Stenson was four-under with seven to play. World number one Rory McIlroy took a double bogey at the par-5 10th and a three-putt bogey at the par-3 11th to fall back to level par overall.