Steve Pate, without a victory on the USPGA Tour since 1998, scored 11 points to grab the lead after the first round of The International on Thursday. Rich Beem and Billy Mayfair shared second place on 10 points at the Castle Pines Golf Club. Australia's John Senden, Duffy Waldorf, Heath Slocum, Hank Kuehne and Jeff Quinney were tied for fourth position a further point adrift.
The $4.5 million tournament uses a modified stableford scoring system. Albatrosses count eight points, eagles five, birdies two and pars zero. One point is subtracted for a bogey, and three taken away for a double bogey or worse.
British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa was among a group of six players on eight points.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
