ENDICOTT, N.Y., July 17 (UPI) -- Steve Lowery fired an 8-under-par 64 Thursday to grab a two-stroke lead over a watered-down field after the opening round of the B.C. Open.
Lowery overcame a single bogey with an eagle and seven birdies at the En-Joie Golf Club, coming within one shot of matching the best first-round score in tournament history.
With most of the world's best players at the British Open, Lowery has a chance for his third career win and first since the 2000 Southern Farm Bureau.
Lowery equaled his best round of the year for a two-shot cushion over John Maginnes, Harrison Frazar, Barry Cheesman and Alexander Cejka of the Czech Republic.
Coming off his first win on the Champions Tour, Craig Stadler opened with a 5-under 67 and was among 15 players three strokes off the pace.
