Joel Dahmen tied the lowest round of his career with a 9-under-par 61 to set the early pace at the Wyndham Championship on Thursday in Greensboro, N.C.
Dahmen needs a strong showing at the regular-season finale in order to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs that begin next week. A win would vault him from No 101 in the standings all the way to 48th, according to the PGA Tour. The top 70 in points after this weekend will reach the playoffs.
Dahmen holds just a one-stroke advantage over Sweden's Alex Noren, who turned in an 8-under 62 at Sedgefield Country Club. Four players were tied for third at 63: Cameron Young, Mark Hubbard, Colombia's Nico Echavarria and defending champ Aaron Rai of England.
Not far behind, as part of a large tie at 5-under 65, were Jordan Spieth and Australian Adam Scott. Spieth (No 50 entering the week) is comfortably in the playoff field, but Scott needs a very high finish in order to jump from 85th into the top 70.
Dahmen ranked fourth in the field Thursday by making 131 1/2 feet of putts. Six of his 10 birdies came on a sterling front nine, his second nine, where he shot 6-under 29. He made birdie at Nos. 7-9, including a 46-footer at the par-3 seventh.
Max Homa shot a 4-under 66 as he clings onto hope of vaulting from No 106 in the standings into the top 70.