US Tour: Ernie Els claimed the early clubhouse lead with a four-under-par 68 in yesterday's opening round of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

But the South African made hard work of it, and managed only two pars on a back nine which included four birdies and three bogeys.

But he had also birdied the third and eagled the par five seventh to set the early pace.

Padraig Harrington was slightly more steady in compiling a one-under-par 71 which included three birdies and two bogeys.

That looked like it would be good enough to leave the Dubliner in the top 25 of the tournament and in a solid position to make a challenge over the weekend.

Defending champion Kenny Perry was also on one-under though 16 holes, despite doubling the opening hole.

Five players, Paul Azinger, Lee Janzen, Stephen Ames, Zach Johnson and Todd Hamilton were in the clubhouse on three under par, a shot behind Els, while Retief Goosen and Justin Rose were among a group who had signed for 70s.

Tiger Woods was still struggling to find his form with his new swing, and was level through 14 holes after collecting three birdies and three bogeys.

Aside from the golf, there was another buzz at the Memorial Tournament that could not be ignored.

And although the prospect has created considerable excitement, the buzz has nothing to do with Woods and Vijay Singh, the top two players in the world ranking playing in the same group for the first time this year.

This is a real buzz: a swarm of cicadas that has returned to Muirfield Village for the first time in 17 years, as big as Texas grasshoppers.

"I thought we had some big bugs in Africa, but these things . . ." Ernie Els said, his voice trailing off.