OCALA — Derek Lamely of Fort Myers overcame an early double-bogey to post a 9-under par 63 for the first-round lead Wednesday in the $100,000 Ocala Open at Candler Hills Golf Club.
Lamely, a former Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, finished 71st in the PGA Tour's PODS Championship near Tampa on Sunday after going through qualifying. Last month, Lamely finished second in the Coors Light Open in Fort Myers.
After he birdied the first hole, Lamely made a double-bogey at the par-4 second hole, birdied the third and fourth, eagled the par-5 sixth and birdied Nos. 7, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 18.
Tied for second among 144 starters were Brenden Pappas of Ocala and David Roesch of Germantown, Wis. Both eagled the par-5 12th hole. Pappas also had six birdies, Roesch seven birdies and a bogey.
Defending champion Rod Perry of Port Orange opened with 67, tied for 15th. He finished at 17 under par 199 here a year ago.
The Florida Professional Golf Tour tournament continues through Friday with the winner receiving $20,000.
Florida Professional Golf Tour
Ocala Open
Candler Hills CC, Ocala
Derek Lamely, Fort Myers 32-31—63
Brenden Pappas, Ocala 34-30—64
David Roesch, Germantown, Wis. 34-30—64
Mike Austin, Burton, Mich. 32-33—65
Ryan Gildersleeve, Clearwater 32-33—65
Jesse Hutchins, Kickersville, Ohio 33-32—65
Jesse Smith, Dover, N.H. 32-33—65
Brian Unk, Lewis Center, Ohio 30-35—65
Reid Edstrom, Auburn, Ala. 34-32—66
Kevin Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio 33-33—66
D.J. Fiese, Smyrna, Ga. 33-33—66
Yong Joo, Orlando 33-33—66
Gareth Maybin, Ireland 32-34—66
Kevin Savage, Canastota, N.Y. 31-35—66
