Marc Leishman has continued his hot British Open form to take the outright lead after the opening round of the lucrative World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

The Victorian carved up Firestone Country Club with eight birdies and just two bogeys to card a six-under 64, good enough to lead by one from former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, former US Open champion Justin Rose of England and American Ryan Moore who are five-under.

Americans Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed plus Italian Francesco Molinari and Canadian Graham DeLaet share fifth at three-under.

Leishman shot a course-record tying seven-under 65 in the final round at Hoylake to rocket him to a tie for fifth at the British Open and showed no signs of slowing down back in the USA.

Playing the back nine first he charged out of the blocks with four birdies in his opening eight holes and while a bogey on his ninth, the tough 18th, could have derailed his charge, the 30-year-old rallied to birdie three of his next six holes.

A bogey on the seventh, his 16th of the day, was wiped out by a birdie one hole later, leaving him alone at the top.

“I drove the ball well. It makes this course a lot easier when you’re on the fairway. It’s pretty tough when you’re playing from the rough,” Leishman said.

“Then I hit my irons really well and was rolling the ball awesome so it’s a pretty good combination for a tough golf course like this.

“Hopefully it is something I can keep going.”

World No.1 Adam Scott wasn’t at his crisp best but still managed a one-under 69 to sit tied 14th and well and truly still in the mix.

Steven Bowditch, in his WGC debut, managed an eagle and three birdies but also had four bogeys to also get in the house at one-under.

Matt Jones, also on WGC debut, started in sensational style with a birdie and an eagle to share the early lead but it was tougher going for the rest of the loop.

Five bogeys and just two more birdies left the New South Welshman settling for an even-par round of 70, a score he was content with given how wayward he hit the ball.

John Senden battled his way to a 74 with two costly double bogeys as he made the turn his undoing while an obviously injury hampered Jason Day struggled to the same score to be near the back of the pack.

British Open champion and world No.2 Rory McIlroy shot one-under as he tries to unseat Scott at the top of the rankings.

The Northern Irishman needs to win and have the Australian finish outside the top five in the lucrative no cut event.