Jonathan Kaye fired an eight-under-par 62 yesterday to grab an early two-stroke lead at the Greater Hartford Open.

Kaye, whose best finish of the season was a tie for 18th at The Players Championship last March and who has since finished no better than 30th, opened his round on the back nine with three straight birdies at the par-70 TPC at River Highlands.

Kaye then birdied holes 15 through 17 to turn in a six-under 29. After a bogey at the par-four third, Kaye closed with birdies at the par-three fifth, and par-four seventh and ninth.

Jay Don Blake was in the clubhouse with a six-under 64, followed by the trio of Larry Mize, Frank Lickliter and Chris DiMarco, each of whom were in at five-under-par 65.

Ireland's Richie Coughlan opened with a two over par 72.