PGA Tour veterans Jeff Overton and Paul Goydos are the early leaders in the IFQ America event, where 94 players are battling it out for 14 places in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Overton posted a 9-under-par 63 to put his name at the top of the list of 48 players at TPC Michigan. Not far behind him was Australian Steve Elkington, who lost a four-way play-off for the 2002 Open to Ernie Els, with a 65. Tom Pernice Jr. is third after a six-under-par 66 for his morning round.
Across Michigan at Dearborn Country Club, Paul Goydos shot a 7-under-par 65 to lead the contingent of 46 players.
"I scored really well today," said Goydos, who lost a playoff to Sergio Garcia at The Players Championship in May. "It started out a little sketchy but then everything good that could possibly happen, happened. It was a good solid day. I hung in there early and it got steadier as the day went on."
Goydos is hoping the afternoon 18 will be as good and give him a chance to play in The Open for the first time in his 15-year career.
"It's disappointing not to have played in it thus far. Probably other than winning, this is my number one goal this year this qualifier and playing in the Open. I want to play in the British Open, thats where history is."
Among those contending for a spot at Dearborn is Davis Love III, who is glad to be healthy once again after off-season ankle surgery. His morning round of 67 puts him tied for fourth and in a good position to qualify.
"You don't know what to expect out here because we've never competed on this course," said Love. "You don't know what guys are going to shoot so you just try to birdie every hole. You just try to shoot as low as you can and not try to think about the outcome."
Love, with 19 PGA Tour wins to his name, needs another good 18 to ensure an appearance in The Open for a 22nd consecutive year.
"They've only got four majors and it's important to get in them," said Love. "It's the oldest tournament in the world, so I'm excited to try and get in."
Johnson Wagner, winner of the Shell Houston Open in early April, carded a 6-under 66 at Dearborn and has positioned himself for his first Open try.
"Missing the cut at the Buick Open helped me only because I got to come down here early and play a practice round. This course is similar to Warwick Hills, it's a tight golf course," said Wagner. "The Open Championship is a great event. I've grown up watching it and it would be a dream to go and play it. I'd love to test my skills on a different type of golf course."
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