Wilson takes first-round lead in New Orleans

HOUSTON (Reuters) - American Dean Wilson fired a six-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the New Orleans Classic on Thursday.

Wilson, who had been struggling in the early season, offset a lone bogey with seven birdies to hold the narrowest of advantages over Australian Peter Lonard and Americans Briny Baird and Chez Reavie, who all shot 67 at TPC Louisiana.

Former U.S. PGA champion Steve Elkington of Australia, Americans Vaughn Taylor, Jay Williamson and Cameron Beckman were a further shot adrift in a share of fifth place.

The 38-year-old Wilson, ranked 152nd, had made the cut in only three of eight events this season with a tie for 29th at the Buick Invitational his best showing.

Three shots off the pace at 69 was a group of eight American golfers including Woody Austin, runner-up at last year's U.S. PGA Championship.

World number four Steve Stricker, Japan's Shigeki Maruyama and Sweden's Robert Karlsson were among a large contingent who posted two-under-par 70s on the challenging layout with sloping greens that played firm and fast in blustery conditions.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland stood at one-under 71, while U.S. Masters champion Zach Johnson shot 72 and twice U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa carded a 73.

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by John O'Brien)