Kevin Sutherland, Mike Springer, Tom Scherrer and Skip Kendall all fired seven-under-par 63s to share the first round lead at the Greater Hartford Open in Connecticut yesterday.

The field took advantage of a windless day and a well-watered Tournament Players Club at River Highlands to come within one of the course record.

It was the lowest first-round score since the course was redesigned in 1991.

"There's not much wind and the greens were perfect," Sutherland said. "The golf course is really lush."

A group of seven that included the 1997 champion Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard was at 64, while the USPGA Tour's leading money earner this year, David Duval, was in a group of 27 players at 68.

Eighty-three golfers in the 156-player field shot sub-par rounds.