IRVING, Texas, May 9 (UPI) -- Bryce Molder, a 22-year-old four-time All-American at Georgia Tech, carded a 7-under-par 63 on Thursday for the low round of his brief pro career and shares the lead with Joe Durant after the first round of the Byron Nelson Classic.
"I am just trying to get better and better," said Molder, who does not even have a card on the Buy.com Tour, making every week important for him if he wants to avoid Qualifying School in the fall.
Esteban Toledo, Nick Price, Frank Lickliter, David Gossett and Lee Janzen all are tied for third at 6-under 64. Eleven players are within two shots of the lead.
Birdies were plentiful Thursday as 33 players shot 67 or better. However, Tiger Woods did not share in the wealth as the Masters champion shot a 1-over 71.
After missing the cut in six of his first seven PGA tournaments this year, Molder showed signs of turning things around by tying for ninth last week at the Compaq Classic. He was in contention until bogeying the final three holes.
The Arkansas native gained a share of the lead by shooting a 5-under 30 on the back nine at the host TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas course. He made a strong closing charge, birdying six of the final eight holes.
Molder was at a loss to explain his success, both last week and Thursday. He did considerable scrambling, hitting only 7-of-14 fairways.
The 38-year-old Durant won twice early in 2001 to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors but has been uable to regain that form. He tied for 67th at the Compaq Classic, which came after he missed three straight cuts.
While Woods, who captured the Byron Nelson Classic in 1997, can never be counted out of any any tournament, he will have to come from far back in the pack after his round left him tied for 97th.
Among the other notables is David Duval, who carded a 66. David Toms posted a 68, while Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Chris Dimarco all shot 69s.
