LAKESIDE, Calif. (AP) -- Michael Letzig shot a course-record, 11-under 63 on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead in the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Barona Creek.
Letzig entered the tournament 26th on the list, a spot away from earning a PGA TOUR card for next season. The 27-year-old former New Mexico player had nine birdies and an eagle in the bogey-free round.
"Everybody around me is putting pressure on me," Letzig said. "If it doesn't happen, who cares? I was planning on going to q-school anyway."
Gary Christian and Tjaart van der Walt opened with 63, James Driscoll shot a 64, and Jim McGovern, B.J. Staten and Martin Laird had 65s.
Letzig's 60 was the third on the Nationwide Tour this year. He credited the low round to a new putter that arrived Tuesday.
"I've been putting terribly the last two months," Letzig said. "I didn't plan on changing, but last week I didn't make anything and missed the cut."
Christian and van der Walt would like to avoid PGA TOUR qualifying school, but would probably have to win to break the top 25. Van der Walt began the week 49th on the money list, and Christian was 57th.
"It's like the carrot, but if you try and reach for it you are going to burn," van der Walt said. "Where I was the beginning of this year with no status and then played myself into some reshuffles and an exempt category. For me, it's a bonus to be here."
The start of play was delayed 45 minutes because of fog.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
