Endicott, NY (My Sportsbook) - Joe Ozaki fired a nine-under 63 Friday to grab a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open.

Ozaki, who is winless on the Champions Tour, missed the course record at En- Joie Golf Course by one stroke.

Eduardo Romero is alone in second place at seven-under 65.

Joey Sindelar, who lives in New York, carded a six-under 66 on Friday. He was joined in a share of third place by Fulton Allem and Ronnie Black.

Ozaki was steady on the front nine, before catching fire around the turn. He parred his first two holes, then picked up his first birdie on the par-five third.

At the par-five fifth, Ozaki collected his second birdie and he turned in three-under thanks to a 25-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

Ozaki dropped in back-to-back birdie putts from the par-five 12th. He chipped in for birdie at 15 and came right back with an eight-foot birdie putt on the 16th.

At the par-three 17th, Ozaki sank his third birdie in a row. He closed with a four-foot birdie putt at the last to post 63. his personal best on the Champions Tour.

"I played very, very well," Ozaki said. "The greens were perfect. We started early and the conditions were good."

Romero ran off three straight birdies from the first and again from the sixth to shoot six-under 31 on the front nine. He faltered to a double-bogey on the par-four 10th to slip back to minus-four.

The Argentine recovered those two lost strokes with back-to-back birdies from the par-five 12th. He got within two of the lead thanks to an up-and-down birdie on the 16th.

"I'm playing pretty well and made a lot of putts today," Romero stated. "I lost my concentration on No. 10. I'm very happy how I played."

Bruce Vaughan, who finished second here last year, opened with a five-under 67. He shares sixth place with Bobby Wadkins, Morris Hatalsky, John Harris and Des Smyth.

Defending champion R.W. Eaks struggled to a three-over 75. He carded three double-bogeys, a bogey and four birdies in his round that left him tied for 69th.