La Quinta (California) : Arjun Atwal launched his attempt to get full playing right on the 2007 PGA Tour with an opening round of even par 72 that put him in tied 24th place at the PGA West course.
Atwal, who was 140th on the Money list and will get a conditional card with 16 starts, is trying for one of the 30 cards that will give him full rights.

He trails leader Steve Gutschewski by five shots. Gutschewski shot a 5-under 67 in windy conditions to take a one-stroke lead over Jim Gallagher and Ryan Howison after the first round of the PGA Tour's 108-hole National Qualifying Tournament.

Atwal had four birdies and four bogeys in his 72. He started with a bogey on first and had further bogeys on third, ninth and 11th. His four birdies came on second, sixth, tenth and 18th.

Gutschewski, 167th on the money list this year with USD 379,488, had six birdies and one bogey in 30-mph gusts on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.

The top-30 and ties after six rounds will receive 2007 PGA TOUR cards. The next 50 will get Nationwide Tour cards, and the remaining players in the 163-man field will receive conditional Nationwide status.