Canadian Brian McCann equalled the course record at Belmont Hills yesterday, firing a blistering six-under-par 64 to give himself a three-shot cushion over frequent visitor to the Island Tim Conley at the $50,000 Gosling's Invitational.

The 2007 Bermuda Open runner-up tamed the plush 6,017-yard, par-70 Belmont Hills lay-out in blustery conditions with a near flawless round that served up five birdies and an eagle at the par-five sixth hole.

McCann got off to a perfect start by gathering three birdies and an eagle on the front nine to set the early pace and make the turn at five under par.

A solitary bogey at the par-four 14th not could derail the 33-year-old former Nationwide and Canadian Tour player's superb round as he bounced back with birdies at 16 and 18 to snatch the early lead and claim bragging rights for the day.

And the Canadian entered the clubhouse in style, draining a 30-foot putt on the 18th that perhaps best summed up his stroll around the course after his eight iron approach to the green left him well short of the pin.

"It was nice finishing that way and great to shoot 64. You always want to get off to a good start and I think this might be my lowest opening round of all-time," McCann said.

McCann is the third player to shoot 64 at the annual tournament in the past two years behind defending champion PH Horgan III - who came in at even par yesterday - and Joe Horowitz.

"The wind was blowing all day and the course played really difficult. . . . there were a lot of difficult tee shots and approach shots coming in," McCann added. "But I'm hitting the ball and rolling the putter well and was never in trouble off the tee. I hit a lot of close approach shots and other than the 18th I think the longest putt I made was four feet."

Past Gosling's Invitational winner Dwayne Pearman shot a two-under-par 68 and is currently tied in third with fellow Bermudian Chris Smith who also shot 68 yesterday. With seven holes left to play veteran Ocean View pro Pearman remained at four under but fell off the pace with successive bogeys at 14 and 15.

"My game was up and down but overall I felt pretty good. I made some good shots today," said Pearman, who has seen limited action on the course since a failed bid to qualify for the World Cup last month.

Pearman's close friend and compatriot Micheal Sims, fresh off a gruelling debut season on the Nationwide Tour, also came in under par with a satisfying 69 in challenging conditions.

"It was definitely breezy but I thought I played well out there today. The pin placements were very accessible and the course is in good shape," Sims said. "I never really got going one way or the other . . . .I was always around even or one over for the entire day.

"But I'm pleased to be back home and intend to take things one shot at a time and try and enjoy my golf."

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