FedEx Cup leader Dustin Johnson shares Tour Championship lead

Dustin Johnson hits his second shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament on June 2, 2016
© Getty Images
FedEx Cup leader Dustin Johnson takes a share of the overnight lead following the first round of the Tour Championship, while Rory McIlroy is two shots behind.

Dustin Johnson has boosted his chances of winning the FedEx Cup after taking a share of the overnight lead at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

The world number two, who currently leads the FedEx Cup standings, was one of three golfers, including Hideki Matsuyama and Kevin Chappell, to shoot four-under-par 66 in the first round.

Johnson had an unblemished front nine as he carded three birdies, but a bogey on the 13th hole prevented him from ending the day as outright leader.

Top-ranked Jason Day sits just one shot off the pace after shooting 67, while Rory McIlroy recovered from consecutive double bogeys to birdie four holes in a row and end the round two strokes behind.

McIlroy needs to win in Atlanta in order to take home the $10m (£7.7m) FedEx Cup prize money, while Johnson could still scoop the honour if he finishes in the top five.