Kyle Stanley leads PGA's Farmer's Insurance Open after opening 62

During his rookie season on the PGA Tour, Kyle Stanley did everything except win.

The former Clemson star and two-time NCAA championship runnerup is off to a strong start toward remedying that deficiency after shooting a 10-under par 62 in the opening round of the Farmer’s Insurance Open Thursday at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, CA.

Stanley’s 62 has him tied for the first-round lead with Spencer Levin. Both played Torrey Pines’ North Course in the opening round.

Stanley’s score ties him for the lowest score in history by a former Clemson golfer on the PGA Tour. It was the sixth 62 turned in by a former Clemson golfer, the first since D.J. Trahan had a 62 at the Travelers Open in Hartford last year.

It is just the third score of 10 under par by a former Tiger, the first since Charles Warren shot a 10-under par 62 at the Greater Greensboro Open in 2005.

Stanley opened his round on Thursday by birdying four of his first five holes. He gave a shot back with a bogey at No. 11, but then reeled off four consecutive birdies to go seven-under.

He finished his round with a flurry, first birdying the par-three 17th, and then eagling the par-five 18th to finish at 10-under.

Another former Tiger, 38-year-old tour rookie Tommy Biershenk, stands in the top third of the pack after shooting a two-under par 70 at the North Course on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Trahan struggled to a six-over 78 on the South Course.

Neither Jonathan Byrd nor Lucas Glover is playing in this week's event.