Bethesda, Md. ? The rush of excitement over the return of golf’s biggest names to the historic Congressional Country Club turned out to be a mere postscript to a landmark day. Former Kansas University golfer Matt Gogel, ranked No. 170 on the PGA Tour money list, teed off in the first group at 7 a.m. and set a Blue Course record with an 8-under 63 Thursday before lightning halted play in the Booz Allen Classic.

Playing while the heat and humidity were oppressive but not yet stifling, Gogel birdied eight of his last 13 holes in a bogey-free round to take a three-shot lead over Lee Westwood, Brett Wetterich, Fredrik Jacobson and Kevin Stadler. Stadler was the only one of the four yet to complete the round, having finished 14 holes when play was stopped for the day at 5:45 p.m.

Gogel didn’t even qualify for the U.S. Open. He has missed nine of 13 cuts this year, and his only PGA Tour victory came at Pebble Beach in 2002. He was slumping badly until he changed irons, then tied for 24th at the St. Jude Classic two weeks ago.

“It’s kind of my time,” Gogel said. “I really hit rock bottom about a month and a half ago. I just had the most disappointing year I’ve ever had in professional golf, so it’s finally turned around. I’m getting some confidence.”