The New Zealand golf number one Danny Lee has made a strong start to the second stage of qualifying to gain his PGA Tour card for 2013.
Lee has shot a first round seven under par 65 at the Bear Creek Golf Club in California to have a one shot lead.
Lee finished 159th on the PGA Tour Order of Merit this year, thereby losing his card.
Fellow New Zealander Steven Alker is three over par and tied for 56th.
Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson is palying a similar qualifying tournament in Florida and is in a share of ninth place at four under after the first round.
The trio need to finish among the top 19 at their respective tournaments to advance to the final stage of qualifying.
In Texas Tauranga's Josh Geary is 24th-equal, needing to finish inside the top 20 to make the final stage of PGA qualifying.
