La Quinta, CA – Tim Madigan of Rio Rancho, NM – a winner on the Charlotte, NC-based eGolf Tour in 2012 – set the early pace at eGolf West’s inaugural Championship at PGA West on Tuesday, blistering the Nicklaus Tournament course at the famed resort with an 8-under 64 to take the day one lead in the 54-hole event.

Madigan, a former New Mexico State star and New Mexico Open champion, opened his week on the longtime Q-School venue without a par in his first seven holes, instead notching six birdies and a bogey to race out to a 5-under-par start.

The affable 25-year-old turned at 5-under 31, then added birdies on 10, 13, 15 and 16 to reach a stout 9-under par on the day before bogeying the par-3 17th to finish off an 8-under 64. Madigan will enter Wednesday’s second round with a two-shot lead over recent winner Geoff Gonzalez of Diablo, CA and former UCLA star Gregor Main of Danville, CA.

Madigan’s eGolf West campaign has been solid, with four top-25 finishes in five starts – including top-5s at the Golf Club of California Classic (T4) and the Arrowood Open (T5).

Over two years on the eGolf Tour (2012-2013), Madigan pocketed eight top-10s, including a breakthrough win at the NorthStone Open in the fall of 2012.

Second-round play at the Championship at PGA West will begin at 6:45 AM on Wednesday morning, with players competing on the Stadium Course. The tournament is open to the public and free of charge.