Tyson Alexander recorded seven birdies in his opening round on Thursday en route to an early lead at the Milton Martin Honda Classic at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville.

Alexander, a native of Gainesville, Fla., shot a 6-under 65 to grab a one-stroke lead over a pack of seven golfers tied for second place when play was suspended. Play had been delayed earlier in the day due to severe weather.

Alexander’s lone hole over par was a bogey on No. 11. He followed that up with a birdie on No. 12, pars on the next four, and then ended his day with back-to-back birdies.

Randall Hutchison, Chas Narramore, T.J. Bordeaux, Bo Hoag, Gabe Maier, Scott Weatherly and David Dragoo each shot a 5-under 66.

Gainesville native Jim Foote is making the most of his first NGA Tour event. The amateur shot a 1-under 70, tying him for 19th with Eric Atsma, Ian Hessels, Andrew Ruthkoski and Marc-Etienne Bussieres when play was halted.

After shooting one over par on the front nine, Foote birdied three holes on the back to move under par.

North Hall grad Jimmy Lloyd shot even par to tie for 25th. He made par on 14 of 18 holes. He birdied Nos. 2 and 10, but made bogey on Nos. 12 and 17.

Over half the field failed to complete the first round after the midday delay. Those players will restart at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, and the second round will begin at 9:45 a.m. Admission is free to the public.

The Milton Martin Honda Classic is an NGA Tour event. The NGA Tour is the No. 3 men’s professional golf tour in the United States (after the PGA and Nationwide Tours). Many PGA Tour professionals got their start on the NGA Tour.

NGA Tour alumni include 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley, 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk and 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.