Hayes sets pace at Disney

MIAMI (Reuters) - J.P. Hayes birdied five of the last nine holes to forge one stroke clear in the Disney Classic first round in Lake Buena Vista on Thursday.

Bidding for his third PGA Tour title, Hayes fired a seven-under-par 65 on the Magnolia course, one of two venues hosting the final event of the 2007 season.

Cameron Beckman, boosted by an eagle on his opening hole, returned a flawless 66 on the Magnolia layout for a three-way share of second spot.

Also at six under were Scott Verplank, who twice chipped in for birdie, and Japan's Ryuji Imada after starting out on the neighboring Palm course at the Walt Disney World Resort.

South African Tim Clark opened with a 67 to lie two strokes off the pace in a group of eight which also included former major winner Justin Leonard and U.S. Presidents Cup player Woody Austin.

Hayes, whose last PGA Tour victory came at the 2002 John Deere Classic, birdied three of the first four holes before bogeying the sixth for an outward nine of two-under 34.

The 42-year-old Wisconsin native then covered the homeward nine in a blistering five under par to edge one shot clear.

Victory apart, the biggest incentive for many of the players in the Tour's season finale is to secure playing privileges for 2008.

The leading 125 in the final money list automatically earn full exemption for next year and Ted Purdy held the 125th spot going into this week with earnings of $758,734.