General / Editor / 20 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Kyle Reifers leads after the first round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans following a course record 64 on Thursday.

The 23-year-old, who has made two starts on the Nationwide Tour this year to remain competitively fresh, fired a bogey-free opening round to leave him on -8, two shots ahead of veteran American Mark Calcavecchia.

Four players are a further shot back on -5, 2005 champion Tim Petrovic, Lucas Glover, Tom Johnson and Jason Schultz.

Reifers is aiming to become the latest first time winner on the USPGA Tour, but has played down the significance of his new record.

The leader admitted: "It doesn't mean much to me now. At the end of the week, hopefully it will mean a lot.

"It's a good start and I'm really pleased, but I had a good start in Houston and that didn't work out too well (tied 49th). You have to play well when you have the opportunity - do that and everything will work out."

Having traded at over 400 before the tournament, Reifers is now available at 17.5 to claim top spot on Sunday.

Glover is the current 8.4 favourite with Betfair punters, with former Open champion Calcavecchia trading at 8.6. Pre-tournament favourite David Toms (-3) can now be backed at 13.5.