The 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic will serve as little more than a glorified tune-up for most golfers playing in it and next week's 2012 US Open. But that's the recipe for an unlikely winner scoring a triumph in Memphis, and Jeff Maggert and John Merrick would both definitely fit the bill.

Maggert and Merrick each opened with a 4-under 66 on Thursday, and both share the lead after the first round of the Classic. Maggert, who started on the 10th tee, raced out to 6-under with four birdies on his back nine and an eagle on No. 3, then made two bogeys in his final five holes of the day to fall back. Merrick, who is not "The Elephant Man," made six birdies and two bogeys on the day.

Maggert and Merrick hold a one-stroke lead on five players tied at 3-under, including J.J. Henry and Jeff Overton. Rory McIlroy, the defending US Open champion, lurks at 2-under.

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