Kyle Stanley leads the season-ending Tour Championship in Atalanta by two shots after his first round six-under-par 64 on Thursday.

The 29-year-old American, making his first competitive appearance at the East Lake course, carded an impressive seven birdies and just one bogey to lead the way ahead of a group of four players, including England's Paul Casey along with American trio Webb Simpson, Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka.

Stanley said: "We only played nine (holes) on Tuesday and nine on Wednesday and we were joking maybe that's not a bad thing. I love the golf course and I enjoyed the day."

Meanwhile, Open champion Jordan Spieth, who is the current FedEx Cup points leader and one of five players who can win the title with a victory in the Tour Championship this weekend, is handily-placed just three points off the lead on three-under-par.

He is joined by world number one Dustin Johnson, who is his closest challenger for the FedEx Cup crown and its $10million bonus, and fellow contender, Spain's Jon Rahm.

Australian Marc Leishman, who is the fifth player guaranteed to win the FedEx Cup with a victory this weekend, is one over after hitting an opening round 71.