Tommy Biershenk matched his career-best with a 9-under 62 to take the first round lead at the Cox Classic in Nebraska.
Former Clemson teammate Elliot Gealy posted his career-low round with an 8-under 63 to move into a second-place tie with Matt Weibring, who finished with five consecutive birdies, and Aaron Goldberg, who carded a 6-under 30 on the back nine.
Nine players are also tied at 7-under 64, including 1999 champion and current leading money-winner Mathew Goggin, who is seeking his third victory in 2011.
Calgary's James Love opened with back-to-back bogeys and closed with back-to-back bogeys for a 3-under 68.
Jon Mills of Belleville, Ont., and Matthew Richardson of Woodbridge, Ont., also posted a 68s.
Vancouver's Richard T. Lee opened with a 70 while Bryan DeCorso of Guelph shot 72.
The average winning score for the first 15 years of the tournament has been 21.6 strokes under par. Thursday's opening round proved the rule once again as par took another beating. The scoring average of 68.654 was more than three full strokes below par and the lowest first-round average in tournament history.