American Joseph Grenier started late but finished on top after the first round of the Canadian Tour’s Florida Qualifying School.
His seven under par 65 leads Canadian Matt Johnston by one.
Johnston, forced to return to school after losing his card in 2008, led most of the day before Grenier, playing in one of the final groups of the day, went one better.
Another stroke back at 67 is Rhett Colbrese while Ryan Thomas and former member Isaac Weintraub are at four under par 68.
All alone in sixth after a 69 is another former member, Nemanja Savic of Serbia, who failed to keep his card in 2008.
Shooting 70 and sharing seventh are Canadians Andrew Jensen, Ciaran McMonagle and Brian Benedictson. Both Jensen and Benedictson lost their status last season.
John McLean and 2005 Welsh Amateur champion Carl Wakely also shot 70 as did Jason Anthony, who like a few others here, is hoping to regain his card.
Also eager to regain the cards they lost in 2008 are Michael Nicoletti (72), Greg McAuley, Jeffrey Rangel (73) and Casey Watabu (75).
Canadian Marc Bourgeois (72), Eric Couture (77) and American Derek Oakey (75) are hoping to improve on the non-exempt status they carry.
Grenier, runner-up at the 2007 California Amateur and a lefty, is attending his first Canadian Tour Q-School.
He hails from Saugus, Calif.
At stake are nine exempt and nine plus ties non-exempt cards for the remainder of the 2009 Canadian Tour season.