Refreshed after a couple of weeks off, Dean Wilson birdied four of five holes on the back nine in windy conditions yesterday for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at Avondale, La.

Wilson played eight straight tournaments before taking the break.

"I've struggled a little bit," said Wilson, a former Kane'ohe resident and Castle High School alum. "I took a couple weeks off and just went home and tried to clear my brain and just play golf rather than maybe sit on the range and fiddle with my swing. I think that helped."

Wilson recorded three birdies and a bogey on the front nine for a 2-under 34.

But he had four birdies over holes Nos. 13 to 17, including three in a row from No. 15 to 17 for a back-nine 4-under 32.

Another Hawai'i golfer, Parker McLachlin, shot an even-par 72 and is tied for 59th.

McLachlin, a former Ho-nolulu resident and Punahou School alum, recorded two birdies and two bogeys.

One shot back of Wilson are Briny Baird, Peter Lonard and Chez Reavie, who opened with 67s.

For a lot of players there is more on the line than the $1.116 million winner's check. For 116 of the players, this is a chance — for some the final, for some the best — to make it into the Masters in two weeks.

"I think most of the players out here look forward to playing in the Masters and think they can actually win this week," said Jay Williamson, who shot 69. "That's one of the reasons that I'm here. I've never played there, and I'm not getting any younger, unfortunately."