Luke Donald three back as Garrett Willis storms to front

Luke Donald, who will become the fourth world No 1 in less than six months if he wins The Heritage in South Carolina this week, opened with a 67.

Donald, currently at No 3, was three shots off the pace after American Garrett Willis charged into an early lead after a late decision to stick with his old putter paid immediate dividends.

Willis, who had been tempted to switch to a belly putter after struggling on the greens this season, fired a sparkling seven-under-par 64 at the picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

The 37-year-old birdied six consecutive holes on the front nine and needed just 26 putts to edge one stroke clear of compatriots Chad Campbell, Tim Herron and Matt Bettencourt, plus India's Arjun Atwal.

Willis, despite practising with the belly putter, sent his caddie back to his car shortly before teeing off to retrieve his standard-length Scott Cameron model putter. He said: "I thought, 'This week is the week I'm going to switch (putters], but I say that every week and don't have the guts enough to do it."

Brian Gay, who set Heritage tournament records with a 20-under total of 264 and a ten-stroke victory margin two years ago, shot 66 to finish level with fellow American Mark Wilson.

Donald was a further shot back, along with Americans Jason Dufner and Scott Verplank, while US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland opened with a 68.