Gamez has not won a tour event since 1990

Gamez lost a play-off in qualifying for next week's Major on Wednesday but carded a five-under-par 66 to lead at the event at Avenel.

The American is one shot ahead of 1999 champion Rich Beem and Notah Begay III.

Gamez's round included seven birdies, including two putts of 20 feet and another from 15.

"It was a good start for the week," said Gamez, who has not won a tour event since his rookie year of 1990.

It was a welcome good start for Beem, who has missed the cut in eight of 14 starts this season and has yet to finish better than 15th.

Last year, he won the International and PGA Championship in consecutive starts.

"I putted better today," Beem said. "I made a few long putts and I made a few of the short putts that I expect to make."

The only player on tour that putts right-handed and left-handed, Begay shot the first bogey-free round of the week to get within a stroke of Gamez.

A few players with experience playing in the wind were two strokes back at 68, including former British Open champion Paul Lawrie and Niclas Fasth of Sweden.