WINTER GARDEN, Fla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Swedes Mathias Gronberg and Daniel Chopra were among the leaders Friday after the first round of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.
The Stockholm natives joined Danny Briggs in shooting 5-under-par 67s in windy conditions to share the lead in the six-round competition.
The tournament runs through Monday with the top 30 players receiving their PGA Tour card for the 2004 season and the remainder settling for status on the Nationwide Tour.
Gronberg, a member of the European Tour, is easily the highest ranked player in the field. He is 72nd in the world rankings.
Seven attempts in the tournament have proven unsuccessful for Gronberg, none more painful than in 1999 when he failed on a three-foot putt on the 16th hole of the final round and missed his tour card by one stroke.
Kris Cox, Brian Bateman and Bradley Hughes were one shot back after the first round.
