LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Scott Gutschewski shot a 5-under 67 in windy conditions Wednesday at PGA West to take a one-stroke lead over Jim Gallagher and Ryan Howison after the first round of the PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament.

Gutschewski, 167th on the money list this year with $379,488, had six birdies and one bogey in 30-mph gusts on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. Gallagher, who first joined the TOUR in 1984, and Howison, who played the Nationwide Tour last year, also opened on the Nicklaus Course.

The wind kicked up dust clouds and sent scores soaring on the two difficult courses. The average score on the Nicklaus Course, the easier and more sheltered of the two, was 73.5, while the Stadium Course played to an average of 76.1.

The top 30 and ties after six rounds will receive 2007 PGA TOUR cards. The next 50 will get Nationwide Tour cards, and the remaining players in the 163-man field will receive conditional Nationwide Tour status.

John Mallinger, Bob Heintz, Andrew Johnson and Steve Allan shot 69s on the Nicklaus Course. Paul Gow and Kenneth Staton had the best scores on the Stadium Course, opening with 70s. Craig Lile, Michael Boyd and Chris Thompson had 70s on the Nicklaus Course.

Two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen, 146th on the money list with $524,198, opened with a 73 on the Nicklaus Course.

Among notable players who struggled on the Stadium Course, Duffy Waldorf shot a 75, Jonathan Kaye had a 77, Carlos Franco opened with a 78 and 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup player Chris Riley had an 83.

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