Payne Stewart took his rehabilitation from elbow surgery a step further yesterday by firing a six-under-par 65 to share the first-round lead in the Los Angeles Open.

Stewart, the 1991 US Open champion, was tied with Scott Hoch, one shot clear of Masters champion Nick Faldo of England and local favourite Paul Goydos.

Half a dozen players were one shot further back on 67 - among them current US PGA Tour money, leader Mark O'Meara and veteran Tom Watson.