American Boo Weekley birdied two of the last three holes to grab a one-shot lead in the opening round of the St. Jude Championship on Thursday.

Weekley, who missed the cut at last week's Memorial tournament, capped a welcome return to form by shooting a five-under-par 65 on a hot, blustery day at the TPC Southwind.

Fellow American Tommy Armour III fired a five-birdie 66 while three-times major winner Vijay Singh opened with a 67.

Players champion Sergio Garcia of Spain and Americans Justin Leonard and Davis Love III were in a group of seven bunched on 68.

Of the other big names, British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland had a 71, Masters winner Trevor Immelman a 74 and fellow South African Retief Goosen battled to a 75.

"I drove the ball well today for a change and my irons were superb," Weekley, 34, told reporters after rolling in a 12-foot birdie putt at the last. "I hit them real good, and then my putting was excellent.

"I made about a 10-footer on 14 to save par and that kind of kept the momentum going."

With temperatures expected to peak at around 95 degrees (35 Celsius) for the rest of the week, Weekley is prepared for a gruelling challenge in his bid for a third PGA Tour title.

"There's a couple holes out there where the greens are firmer than others," he said. "I hope they do it (water the greens) everyday because if the wind keeps blowing like it is and they don't water, it could get funny out there."

Weekley, who won the Heritage Classic in April for the second year in a row, plans to take a lengthy break from the game after next week's U.S. Open in San Diego.

"I'm going to take a month off," the Florida native said. "I got a newborn going to be here and I want to take a little time and see if I can help out around the house."