Cranston, R.I.-Jesse Fitzgerald must be a fast learner. Two days after receiving a putting lesson from legendary New York teaching professional Darrell Kestner, Fitzgerald carded a 5-under 66 and sits atop a log-jammed leaderboard after day one of the 3rd annual Cranston Open. Matt Donovan, looking for his 2nd win in two weeks, carded a 4-under 67 and lies one shot back with four other players. Six other players stand one shot further back, including Scott Hawley and Pawtucket's Jeff Dantas, who finished 6th in this week's Rhode Island Open.

"When you're putting well," Fitzgerald said, "you're not afraid to aim at some pins. You feel like you can get it up and down. Everything seems to fall in place."

Fitzgerald opened with a birdie on the par-5 1st hole, but struggled to build any early momentum, making the turn even par. Consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, courtesy of an eight-foot birdie putt and a chip in, propelled him to a 4-under 31 on the inward side, the low back nine score on day one.

Speaking of low, Donovan's opening 67 marked the forth time in six rounds he has shot 68 or lower, dating back to his win in Bangor two weeks ago

"It's funny how you get on a roll and your confidence gets going," said Donovan, who offset his lone bogey, on the 11th hole, with five birdies. "You stay positive and believe in yourself, and it carries you along the way. But you still have to play three rounds of golf."

Hawley, who has two top 10s in two events on Tour this season, tallied 15 pars and three birdies en route to joining Marc Lawless as the only players in the top 10 to fashion bogey-free rounds.

"It was a pretty boring round," said Hawley, who has drawn strength watching good friends Matt Donovan and Rob Oppenheim each collect two wins in New England in the past year.

"To see those guys do it, I know I can do it," he continued. "It's just a matter of doing it at the right time."

Current CGT money leader Rob Oppenheim, only 72 hours removed from his course record 61 in the N.H. Open, sits four shots off the pace after an opening 1-under 70.

Twenty-eight players stand at even par or better following round one. Following Friday's 2nd round, the field of 101 will be trimmed the low 38 and ties. This week's purse of $86,400 includes a $13,000 winner's share.