Steve Stricker shot the equal lowest round at a major with a sizzling 63 to take the lead after the opening day of the PGA Championship in Georgia.

The American became just the 25th player in history to shoot a 63 in a major championship as he scorched the Atlanta Athletic Club course with seven birdies on his way to seven under.

He holds a two-shot lead over compatriot Jerry Kelly with another American Shaun Micheel a further stroke back.

Scott Verplank is in outright fourth at three under, while former world No.1 Tiger Woods recorded his worst ever start to a major and Masters champion Rory McIlroy injured his wrist on an eventful opening day.

John Senden is the best-placed Australian at two under, while Adam Scott continued his strong form with a one-under-par round of 69.

Jason Day looked like being among the leaders early on, but two bogeys and a double-bogey in his final four holes left the world No.7 back in a tie for 39th at one over.

But while some of the favourites struggled on Thursday, 44-year-old Stricker showed them how it's done with a remarkable round.

Starting on the back nine, Stricker made the perfect start with three consecutive birdies and a further two in a blistering first nine holes.

Stricker was at seven under with four holes to play and looked like creating history on his final hole only to watch on as his birdie putt drifted agonisingly wide.

"I knew it was for 62," Stricker said. "I didn't know it was for history."

"I can't complain about that last putt. I hit a good putt, it didn't go in."

Kelly holds outright second place after a solid five under with his only blemish coming on the par three 15th, while Micheel was bogey-free in his round of 66.

Woods held a share of the lead when he moved to three under after five holes, but completely fell apart as he eventually carded a disastrous seven over 77 to leave him with a massive fight to make the cut.

"I'm really angry right now," Woods said.

"It's a bunch of things. I just thought, 'This is a major and you peak for these events.' So it's just, unfortunately, I'm not at a point that I can let it go."

McIlroy meanwhile was left nursing an injury to his right forearm after his hitting a ball near a tree root on the third hole.

The Northern Irishman found himself in the trees on the par four hole and swung into a root which resulted in a broken club and plenty of pain for the world No.4.

He still managed to card an even-par round of 70, but his chances of a second major appear remote at best.

World No.1 Luke Donald was also even through his first round, while defending champion Martin Kaymer has a mountain to climb after shooting a 72.