Dahmen grabs first-round lead at PGA Wyndham Championship

Joel Dahmen, fighting to make the season-ending playoffs, fired a nine-under par 61 on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.Dahmen had a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Alex Noren, whose eight-under round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five fifth hole.

American Joel Dahmen eyes a shot on the way to the first-round lead at the US PGA Tour Wyndham Championship (Jared C. Tilton)

Joel Dahmen, fighting to make the season-ending playoffs, fired a nine-under par 61 on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.

Dahmen arrived at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro ranked 101st in the tour's FedEx Cup standings. The top 70 advance to the playoffs that start next week with the St. Jude Championship.

Dahmen attacked the challenge with 10 birdies, including three in a row to cap his round at the seventh, eighth and ninth.

"I don't know if you ever see 61 coming, but I saw good golf coming," Dahmen said, pointing to a stretch of some 45 holes without a bogey last week.

A victory would move Dahmen into 48th place in the FedEx Cup standings, although the 37-year-old -- who has one win on his resume -- was quick to note there was a lot of golf left to be played.

"The playoffs are a bonus for me," he said. "I'm just going to go out and try to play good golf and I guess if I play really well then I get to play another week."

Dahmen had a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Alex Noren, whose eight-under round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five fifth hole.

England's Aaron Rai, Colombian Nico Echavarria and Americans Mark Hubbard and Cameron Young were tied for third on seven-under.

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Category: General Sports