Epperson, Scodro grab ATB Financial Classic lead

Alberta, Canada – Chris Epperson and Max Scodro fired matching 6-under-par 66s on Tuesday to share the lead after the first round of the ATB Financial Classic.

Epperson and Scodro sit a shot ahead of Order of Merit No. 2 Wil Collins, George Bradford, Andrew Georgiou, Mark Hubbard, Matt Makinson and Jeff Rangel, who all carded 5-under 67s at Country Hills Golf Club's Talons Course.

Last week's Players Cup winner Carlos Sainz, Jr. is part of a large group tied for ninth at 4-under 68.

Epperson, who recently switched from a belly putter to a short putter, countered his lone first-round bogey with seven birdies.

"Last week was the first tournament that I used a short putter in over a year," said the 30-year-old. "I went back to the way I putted when I had my Web.com Tour card (in 2011 and 2012) and opened up my stance. It felt a little more comfortable, and darned if I didn't make a few putts."

Scodro, who also has membership on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, highlighted his opening round with an eagle, while mixing five birdies with a single bogey.

"I got off to a really good start, which was nice. I haven't done that all year,' said the 23-year-old University of Notre Dame product. "I just kind of kept it in front of me. I think the birdies are out there, and as long as you can limit your mistakes you'll be able to shoot a good round."

NOTES: This event was rescheduled to Aug. 6 after initially being canceled due to excessive rain and flooding in the Alberta area ... Epperson began the season with top-10 finishes at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open and Dakota Dunes Open ... Sainz's win at the Players Cup was his first on PGA Tour Canada.