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Danny Lee - Source: Photosport
New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has made a good start in his bid to keep his US PGA Tour card for next season.
Lee fired a five under par 65 in the first round of the McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, Georgia to be in a tie for sixth, three shots behind American leaders, Bud Cauley and Marco Dawson.
The 22-year-old is fighting to keep his card for next season after a tough rookie year and began this week at 167th on the money list, needing to move into the top 125 with two events remaining to retain full playing status on the elite tour.
Lee came out of the blocks firing this morning with three birdies and an eagle in five holes to score a front nine 30 and be five under at the turn.
However, after another birdie at 11 to have him in the tie for the lead, Lee dropped a shot on the par-four 16th and eventually signed for a 65.
Emerging American talent Cauley birdied six of his last nine holes to join Dawson in a tie for the lead.
PGA Tour rookie Cauley, who turned professional before last year's US Open after a glittering amateur career, piled up eight birdies in rain-softened conditions to card a flawless eight-under-par 62 on the Seaside Course.
Journeyman Dawson, who has yet to win on the US circuit despite a few close calls over the past two decades, matched Cauley's total after mixing nine birdies with a lone bogey.
Britain's Greg Owen, American Boo Weekley and Australian Rod Pampling were a further two strokes back after opening with 64s while US Ryder Cup captain and tournament host Davis Love III was among a group of nine knotted at 65.
Cauley, who earned his 2012 PGA Tour card via the non-member money list after just eight starts on the circuit last year, was delighted with his bogey-free form at Sea Island.
"Really no complaints today," the 22-year-old told reporters after totalling only 24 putts in his round and covering the back nine in six-under 29.
"I've been struggling with my driving a little bit lately but I've been working hard on that and was able to drive it really well today.
"And then I took advantage of that with some great iron shots and made most of the putts, so all in all it was a really good day."
Avoided qualifying school
Cauley, who emulated players such as Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods by earning his PGA Tour card without having to attend qualifying school, has set his sights on a maiden victory after recording six top-10s this season in 27 starts.
"Obviously I've thought about winning every tournament I've teed up in this year," he said. "It's been a long year and although I've played a lot this year, I haven't won.
"This is probably going to be it. This is probably my last tournament (this season)."
Also searching for a breakthrough victory is the 49-year-old Dawson, who joined the PGA Tour in 1991 and came closest to winning at the 1995 Greater Milwaukee Open where he finished second after closing with a 67.
"That would be real huge," Dawson, who has made only six cuts in 20 starts this season, said. "I'm looking forward to doing that (winning). I've got a good start so far."
Among the bigger names competing in the third of four events in the PGA Tour's Fall Series, former world number one Vijay Singh and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk carded matching 66s.
Ben Crane, who won last year's title in a playoff with fellow American Webb Simpson, returned a 68.