RALEIGH -- Scott Brown used a 9-under-par 62, easily his best round of the year, to bolt into the lead today in the opening round of the Rex Hospital Open.
Brown, 26, had seven birdies and an eagle in his round at TPC Wakefield, with ten 3's and a 2 on his card. His eagle came at the 13th hole, where he put his 3-wood second shot two feet from the pin.
With golfers still on the course Thursday afternoon, Brown holds a four-shot lead over John Riegger and John Douma in the Nationwide Tour event. Both had 5-under 66s.
"I felt I was in total control of the golf ball, which doesn't happen often," said Brown, a native of Augusta, Ga., who played college golf at USC-Aiken. "You feel you can do no wrong."
Kevin Chappell had an opening-round 69. Chappell is the tour's leading money winner this year with more than $190,000.
Brown's best previous round this year was a 65 in the opening round of the Panama Claro Championship in late-February. He finished in a tie for 34th in that event.
Brown, who has one top-10 finish this year, tied the tournament record at TPC Wakefield set by Rob Bradley in 2003.
