Defending champion Jonas Blixt shoots 6-under 64 to take 1-shot lead at Greenbrier Classic

Jonas Blixt tees off on the ninth hole during the first round of the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Thursday July 3, 2014 (AP Photo/Chris Tilley) (The Associated Press)

Tom Watson lines up his putt during the first round of the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Thursday July 3, 2014 (AP Photo/Chris Tilley) (The Associated Press)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Defending champion Jonas Blixt shot a 6-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Greenbrier Classic.

Six of Blixt's eight birdies came on putts of 10 feet or less on the Old White TPC. The Swede also chipped in from the rough for birdie on No. 16.

Patrick Rodgers, the former Stanford star playing in his third tournament as a pro, was a stroke back along with Chris Kirk, D.A. Points, James Hahn, Jason Bohn, Joe Durant, Jim Renner and Danny Lee.

Steve Stricker topped the group at 66

Masters champion Bubba Watson, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 3 in the world, had a 68.