JERICHO, New York (Ticker) -- A little tweak helped Hale Irwin make a big move.

Irwin registered seven birdies over his final 12 holes and shot a 7-under-par 64 on Friday to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the $1.7 million Lightpath Long Island Classic.

The Senior Tour money leader, Irwin played a bogey-free round and assumed the lead with an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-3 18th hole.

Irwin, who has two wins this season and 34 in eight years on golf's elder circuit, matched his low round of the year and is one-stroke ahead of Gil Morgan.

Two-time champion Bruce Fleisher and fan favorite Lee Trevino are among five golfers who carded 66s.

Afterward, Irwin credited his round to a change in his game.

"I made a slight change in my stance last week while I was in St. Louis," he said. "I opened up my stance a little bit and probably had one of my better ball-striking rounds in a while. Now I've got a stiff back, but thank God for the warm weather."

With temperatures soaring into the 90s, conditions were ideal and 10 players had bogey-free rounds. A total of 44 were under par.

One player who had an inconsistent round was defending champion Bobby Wadkins, who opened with an even-par 71.

Bob Gilder, who has won the last two events in playoffs, also shot a 71 and is tied for 45th, seven shots back.

Irwin started consistently, parring his first six holes. He started his run at the par-3 seventh, sinking a 12-foot birdie putt and followed with another birdie at No. 8.

"I had a lot of opportunities today, especially on the first six holes," Irwin said. "Conditions were good for scoring today, not playing particularly long."

After making the turn, Irwin used another consistent formula as he birdied every other hole. At the par-5 10th, he two-putted from 45 feet for birdie.

Irwin took the clubhouse lead at No. 18, hitting a 6-iron within eight feet of the cup before rolling in for another birdie.

"I finished off with a nice putt at No. 18," he said. "I love the competition. That provides entertainment to me."

Morgan also had a bogey-free round but took a different route than Irwin. Morgan had six birdies on the first 13 holes before parring the last five at the 6,840-yard Meadow Brook Club course.

"I worked every hole. It felt pretty hot out there," Morgan said. "I tried to take as much fluids as I could. The course was pretty receptive."

No stranger to success here, Fleisher is in contention after a round that included six birdies and a bogey. Of his 10 rounds at this course, Fleisher has posted nine in the 60s and is a combined 45-under-par.

"I think certain courses look good to certain players, and I like this course," Fleisher said. "I had three really wonderful years here."