fired an impressive two-under-par 60 to take a whopping nine-stroke lead after the first round of the inaugural Black Masters Golf Classic yesterday.

The Jackson State University golf coach, making his first appearance at the East End course, coped easily with the windy conditions which caused other scores to soar.

Payton goes into today's second round with a comfortable lead over his closest rivals, Bermudians Wendell Hassell (69), Barry DeCouto (71) and Maurice Pitt (72).

Klenton Sparks, golf director Events International, said the opening round had proved interesting for the players, noting they had found the course in "great'' shape.