Memphis, TN (Best E Casino) - Boo Weekley fired a five-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the St. Jude Championship at the TPC at Southwind.

Tommy Armour III is alone in second place at minus-four, while Vijay Singh, playing for the first time in weeks after a rib injury, is in third at three- under 67.

This is the final tune-up before next week's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and the wind was blowing steadily throughout the day.

Weekley started out wonderfully on Thursday. He drained a 20-foot birdie putt at the first and followed that up with a beautiful eight-iron approach to 12 feet at two. Weekley sank that putt, but found trouble at the par-three fourth.

Weekley's tee ball landed in a bunker at four, but he blasted out to six feet. He misread the par-saving putt, but parred his last five holes to make the turn at one-under.

At the 10th, Weekley played an eight-iron 11 feet beyond the hole and converted the birdie putt. Two holes later, he stuffed a nine-iron inside five feet and made that birdie effort.

Weekley parred his next three holes then reached the par-five 16th green in two with a three-iron. He two-putted from the center of the green for a birdie.

At the par-four closing hole, Weekley hit a wedge 11 feet right of the flagstick. He poured in the birdie putt to take the first-round lead.

"I drove the ball well today for a change," said Weekley. "And my irons were superb. I hit them real good, and then my putting, putting was excellent today."

Weekley was able to handle the gusting winds better than anyone on Thursday. He arrived at the TPC at Southwind over the weekend and played the course after missing the cut at The Memorial.

"Just being able to come out and play early gives an -- might not be an advantage, but at least gives up a little bit of a head start on what's going to happen the rest of the week," said Weekley. "And I think I took that to my advantage today, and the wind has been blowing the same since Saturday as it is today."

Armour mixed five birdies and a bogey in his round. It looked to be coming apart a bit late when he missed the green at the seventh, his 16th hole on Thursday.

Armour chipped in for birdie there, but dropped a shot at the par-three eighth thanks in part to the wind.

"You've got to be prepared for everything," said Armour. "If you go in hoping it's not windy and the starts blowing, you're going to be in trouble."

Sergio Garcia, this year's winner of the Players Championship, Davis Love III, Marc Turnesa, Craig Kanada, Cody Freeman, Justin Leonard and Stuart Appleby are tied for fourth place at two-under 68.

Defending champion Woody Austin only managed a one-over 71 and is tied for 39th place.