Defending champion David Toms had an almost perfect putting day on his way to a one-stroke lead after Thursday's first round at the Michelob Championship in Virginia.

"I don't know if I have ever had so few putts," Toms said after taking just 22 strokes on the Kingsmill greens.

He compiled nine birdies on his way to a seven-under-par 64, while fellow American Neal Lancaster and Japan's Shigeki Maruyama shot 65.

British Open champion David Duval didn't have a good day, struggling to a 73 that left him equal 116th. Ireland's Richie Coughlan also shot a 73.

Toms, who won the PGA Championship in August, admitted his score would have been worse if not for his putter.

"Thank goodness for the putter," he said. "It held me in there. Every time I had a decent birdie chance I made it, and I made a couple of good par saves as well. I struggled with the putter last week, but I started to make putts (in Wednesday's pro-am) and it carried over to today."

Ian Mosey produced the best round of his short European seniors tour career with a seven-under-par 64 in windy conditions to open a two-shot lead in the Dan Technology Tournament of Champions at Mere yesterday.

The 50-year-old put a tough first month on tour behind him with a sensational first round which included eight birdies and a solitary bogey.

Mosey's 64 gave him a two-shot led over his fellow Englishman Peter Dawson, with Canada's Bill Hardwick, Northern Ireland's Paul Leonard and America's Bob Lendzion all one shot further back on 67.

Defending champion Denis O'Sullivan of Cork propped up the field after returning a disappointing 78.