P – Stuart Appleby offered a fresh glimmer of hope he could break his deep career slump as he claimed a share of the lead in the US PGA Tour’s St Jude Classic.

Appleby shot a four-under-par 66 to be tied with fellow Australian Nathan Green and Davis Love III, Harris English, Martin Flores and Glen Day at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

A nine-time winner on the tour with career earnings of almost $US27 million ($A28.37 million), 42-year-old Appleby has struggled badly for a couple of years since his last victories in 2010 at the Greenbrier Classic and at home in the Australian Masters.

His world ranking has fallen to No.385, but there are signs of consistency returning as he has made 10 of 14 cuts this season – though his best finish was a tie for 35th at the Heritage Classic in April.

Appleby had a bogey-free round in Memphis with four birdies and said he was surprised the scores weren’t lower on a day with little breeze.

“I thought there were some more birdies out there,” Appleby said.

“I think just with the pace of the greens if you’re above the hole it’s tricky. I’m happy with the way I played today. Anybody who got under par today certainly fought to get there.”

Green, who lost his card last year, was the clubhouse leader at midday.

The Australian who won the 2009 Canadian Open has been busy rebuilding his chipping and putting.

This is his best round this year, but it had been a while since Green had seen his name at the top of a leaderboard.

“I was starting to get nervous seeing my name on the board and made two good up and downs to finish off the round, which is nice,” Green said after hitting into bunkers on 17 and 18 on his way in.