Chris Smith on a surprise high in Memphis

NEW ORLEANS, May 26 (Reuters) American journeyman Chris Smith put behind him a miserable start to the year by taking a surprise two-shot lead at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 37-year-old from Indiana fired a flawless six-under-par 64 in the opening round at the TPC at Southwind before expressing amazement over his performance.

''I'm not sure what happened,'' the big-hitting Smith told reporters after excelling on a hot and humid day. ''I got done, and (former winner) John Cook or somebody else is playing under my name.'' Smith, who has missed five cuts in eight PGA Tour appearances this season, birdied four of the first nine holes to reach the turn in four-under 31.

He picked up further shots at the 16th and 17th to finish two ahead of compatriot D A Points. Fellow Americans Paul Azinger and Tom Pernice junior were tied for third on 67.

''It's hard to tell by how much money I've made this year, but I really played pretty well,'' added Smith, who is chasing a second PGA Tour title after clinching his maiden victory at the 2002 Buick Classic.

''Today I actually made some putts, which is always fun for me.

It doesn't happen on a real regular basis and my putter felt great.

LONG ONES ''I made some long ones and everything just kind of happened.'' Former world number one Nick Price of Zimbabwe, playing his eighth Tour event of the year, was among a group of six on 68.

St. Jude Classic champion in 1993 and 1998, Price mixed three birdies with a solitary bogey to share fifth place with Americans Mark Calcavecchia, Fred Funk, Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson and Paul Stankowski and Daisuke Maruyama of Japan.

''This is the kind of course I really enjoy, although it's totally different to the course I won on,'' the three-times major champion said after posting his lowest score of the season.

''It's got a little bit of extra length but the fairways are groomed, the ball is rolling and these greens are just really, really good. I'm amazed.'' John Cook, who set a tournament record low aggregate of 258 to win the 1996 title, was a further stroke back on 69, alongside twice champion and world number eight David Toms.

Tim Herron, who ended a seven-year victory drought at last week's Colonial tournament, opened with a 70 while defending champion Justin Leonard carded a 72.

American Ryder Cup player Chris DiMarco returned a 73 and John Daly a 77 to head a list of several big names in early danger of missing the halfway cut.

REUTERS DH RN0619