Fathauer takes lead in Web.com Tour Finals event

Derek Fathauer. (Gerry Broome/AP)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Derek Fathauer shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the third of four events in the Web.com Tour Finals.

Fathauer, 12th on the Web.com Tour’s regular-season money list to secure a 2014-15 PGA Tour card, birdied Nos. 15-17 and closed with a par on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.

The top 25 players on the Web.com money list are competing against each other for PGA Tour priority, with regular-season earnings counting in their totals and the final leader getting a spot in The Players Championship. The other players — Nos. 26-75 from the Web.com Tour money list and Nos. 126-200 in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings — are fighting for another 25 cards based on their earnings in the four tournaments.

Andrew Loupe opened with a 64, and Blayne Barber shot 65.

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