Nicholas Thompson
Nicholas Thompson fired a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Nationwide Tour's Children's Hospital Classic. Thompson salvaged par on his final hole late in the day, the only green he missed in regulation, and grabbed a two-stroke lead over Doug Barron, Justin Bolli, Monday qualifier Brice Garnett and Brent Delahoussaye.
Thompson is No. 61 on the money list with only four events left on the schedule. Only the top 25 will qualify for a 2012 PGA Tour card.
Scott Dunlap, Greg Owen, Ted Potter, Jr., John Mallinger, Skip Kendall and Brett Wetterich are three shots back of the leader after the opening 18 holes at the Black Creek Mountain course.
Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont., had five birdies and a bogey for an opening round 68 and sits five shots off the lead. Mills, who has missed the cut in three of his last five tournaments, started the week 60th on the money list.
Bryan DeCorso of Guelph, Ont. and Matthew Richardson of Woodbridge, Ont., both carded 2-under 70s.
Richard T. Lee of Vancouver bogeyed his final hole for a 71.