Roy Vucinich put together a course-record 64 to post the halfway lead. (Photo: The PGA of America)

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Roy Vucinich of Moon Township, Pa., smiled after looking over his scorecard once more, and said that the Rees Jones-designed Andalusia Country Club "fits my eye real nice."

The 61-year-old PGA Life Member and reigning Tri-State PGA Senior Champion took dead aim Thursday afternoon, posting a competitive course-record 8-under-par 64 to grab the first-round lead in the 20th Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf.

• First round scores (.pdf)

• First round notebook

• Tournament preview

Vucinich owns a three-stroke advantage over Mike San Filippo, a PGA Life Member from Hobe Sound, Fla., and the 2002 and 2005 Champion, who turned in a 5-under-par 67 at Toscana Country Club's South Course in nearby Indian Wells, Calif.

Bill Britton of Tinton Falls, N.J., the Low PGA Professional finisher in the 2008 Senior PGA Championship, led a seven-player group at 68.

Defending Senior PGA Professional National Champion Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, Colo., was six strokes back at 70.

Vucinich's sizzling round matched the first-round championship record by Bob Ford of Oakmont, Pa., who turned in a 64 last year at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

A two-time Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year, Vucinich began play on the back nine on the 7,012-yard layout under what was then benign conditions, collecting six birdies and chipping in for eagle on the 550-yard, par-5 third hole.

But, Vucinich's near-flawless tour around the course wasn't over, as the wind picked up and gusted to nearly 30 miles per hour.

He capped a bogey-free round with three straight pars, including knocking home an eight-foot par-saving putt on the 18th green.

"Today, I really wasn't hitting it where I was looking," said Vucinich, whose previous best showing in this championship was a share of fifth in 1999. "But the putter was there and it made all the difference. It's definitely the best round I've ever had in a national championship. There are days in golf you don't forget, and this was one of them."

Vucinich has flirted with scoring glory several times in the past, scoring a 59 at age 59 in 2006 in a Tri-State PGA Senior Championship.

"I just felt comfortable and it was the best I've played all year," Vucinich said. "It would have been a good day even if I had a 68."

Vucinich made 26 putts, including a swinging, right-to-left 66-foot birdie on the No. 6 hole (his 15th of the day), hit 15 greens and hit just six fairways for his gem.

"I have had a career where you make a number of mistakes, and it could be a poor chip or a putt or a bad iron shot, and that kept you from a real good round," said Vucinich. "Today, I didn't make those same mistakes."

San Filippo was one who enjoyed the best of Thursday's playing conditions at Toscana Country Club.

"We had what I thought was the best weather of the day getting out early," said San Filippo, a PGA Member since 1982. "This is a big tournament for us. You are anxious to play and having that first day early tee time is worth at least a stroke."

San Filippo's opening-round 67 was his best opening round score in the six years he has competed in the Championship. His previous best opening-round score was a 68 in the 2004 Championship He finished in a tie for 11th that year.

He began his round on the back nine and birdied three of his first five holes.

"I got out good today. I made par on Nos. 10 and 11, my first two holes, then birdied 12, 13 and 14," said San Filippo. "That took a little pressure off and I wanted to keep adding to it. I would say those first few holes were key and just getting out under par and not making any bogeys, you can't argue with that."

The field consists of the top PGA Professionals who are at least 50 years of age. The field will be cut to the low 70 scorers and ties following the completion of the second round.

The winner of the Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf will have his name inscribed on the Leo F. Fraser Trophy and will receive a first-place check for $20,000 from a total purse of $285,000.

In addition, the low 35 finishers will qualify for the 2009 Senior PGA Championship at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive exemptions into the 2009 Senior PGA Professional National Championship presented by Callaway Golf. In addition, the top 5 finishers will be exempt into the Champions Tour National Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they have filled out an entry by the entry deadline.