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San Martin, Calif. • Coming off his worst year, Jeff Overton opened the new PGA Tour season on a good note.
Once he finally made a putt Thursday in the Frys.com Open, Overton felt as if he couldn't miss. Over the last 11 holes at CordeValle, he made three birdie putts over 25 feet and a 20-foot eagle putt when his gamble paid off on the par-5 ninth.
He finished with a tap-in birdie on the 18th for a 7-under 64 and a two-shot lead over the early starters.
"It really helps if you can get off to a good start," Overton said. "It would be great if we can continue this thing and keep it rolling."
Kyle Stanley had a 66. Michael Putnam, who won the Web.com Tour money title last season to earn full status, was among those at 67. John Peterson was challenging for the lead until finishing with two bogeys for a 68.
The PGA Tour season is starting in October instead of January for the first time. The official season ends next September at the Tour Championship, although there will be a six-week break leading to the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
LPGA
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • South Korea's Ilhee Lee shot a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over American Brittany Lang after the first round of the LPGA Malaysia.
Paula Creamer, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Beatriz Recari and Eun-Hee Ji shot 66 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen had a 67.