MIAMI, Fla. -- A constant theme emerged among Nationwide Tour players following the first day of the Miccosukee Championship: The first round was tough.
Despite the tough conditions, Dustin Bray fired a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke advantage over D.A Points and a two-shot lead over Jon Mills, Scott Weatherly, Fabian Gomez, Marc Turnesa and Tour-leading money-winner Roland Thatcher (67).
Local favorites Nicholas Thompson (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Ryan Blaum (Coral Gables, Fla.) headline a group of nine players at 3-under 68.
"I'm just trying to make it simple this week," said Bray, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation. "Hitting fairways was the key for me today. I was focusing on hitting the right club off of the tee, but, out here, that is pretty straight forward."
Bray's bogey-free round consisted of birdies on Nos. 5, 7, 8, 10, 14 and 16 -- with a 12-footer on the par-5 16th hole his longest birdie putt of the day.
"My iron play has been good for awhile now," said Bray. "If you hit fairways and greens, you're going to be in contention about every week. Hopefully, I'll keep this going the rest of the week."
Much is at stake for the 143 players competing this week at the season's final full-field event, including a final push to be one of the 60 players who advance to the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Barona Creek. Then the ultimate goal of securing one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards for the 2008 season will be front and center in the minds of those select players.
Bray, like many others, could use a good finish this week. The former University of North Carolina All-American has missed 21 of 27 cuts this season, including a current streak of 11 consecutive. He sits No. 127 on the money list, with a tie for ninth place at the LaSalle Bank Open his best finish.
"It really was a conscious decision to not think about the last few weeks," said Bray. "That has been my problem this year, thinking about last week instead of this week. I just want to play golf and have fun."
Some of Bray's relaxation is coming on the water, as the fishing enthusiast spent some time earlier this week on fellow Nationwide Tour member Guy Boros' boat. "I love salt-water fishing," said Bray. "We had fun on Guy's boat the other night. I'm definitely doing more fishing this week than I'm accustomed to. I'm almost using this week as a relaxation week ... getting ready for Q-School."
First Round News & Notes
? Due to wet conditions, players were allowed to play lift, clean and place
? The previous highest scoring average at the Miccosukee Championship was 71.417 during the third round in 2003
? This marks the first time in Bray's career that he has held the lead in a Nationwide Tour event
? Through the first 30 events, Martin Laird (Athens Regional Foundation Classic), Kyle Thompson (Rex Hospital Open) and Franklin Langham (Utah EnergySolutions Championship) are the only first-round leaders to go on to victory. In three previous playings of the Miccosukee Championship, the first-round leader has never gone on to victory .
? Bogey-free rounds on Thursday were posted by Dustin Bray (65) and Roger Tambellini (69)
? Notah Begay III withdrew prior to the start of the first round
? Sunday's winner will take home $103,500 out of the $575,000 purse.
