Overview
- Points leader Steven Alker posted a bogey-free 66 to sit two shots back after the opening round.
- Jerry Kelly shot 65 with eight birdies to hold second place, one behind Stewart Cink.
- Five players remain mathematically alive for the season title: Alker, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Cink, Ernie Els and Thomas Bjørn.
- Round-one standings for the other Cup contenders: Bjørn 68 (T8), Jiménez 69 (T15), Els 70 (T19).
- The 36-player, no-cut finale features a $3 million purse and a $1 million bonus for the Charles Schwab Cup winner.