Brian Gay travels halfway around the world and opens with 63 at McGladrey Classic

Briny Baird hits a drive off the seventh tee during the first round of the McGladrey Classic golf tournament on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton) (The Associated Press)

Vijay Singh, of Fiji, reacts to a missed putt the 17th green during the first round of the McGladrey Classic golf tournament on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton) (The Associated Press)

Traveling halfway around the world didn't appear to hurt Brian Gay's golf game.

Gay returned from two weeks in Asia and made eight birdies Thursday for a 7-under 63 in the McGladrey Classic. That gave him a share of the lead with Briny Baird among the early starters at Sea Island. Baird missed nearly the entire year while recovering from surgery on both shoulders.

Gay would have taken this week off to rest except that Sea Island is only about three hours from his home in Florida, and he loves the Seaside course. Fatigue began to set in during a fog delay that lasted nearly two hours in the morning. Gay tried to rest in the locker room, and he felt enough energy to post a strong opening round.