Eric Russell got off to a sizzling start on a sweltering day.

The defending Bill Childs Invitational champion opened with a 9-under 62 as temperatures rose to nearly 100 at the Hillandale Country Club course.

Russell, a two-time winner of the Childs Invitational, leads Dana Studdard by 5 strokes going into today’s 2nd Round.

Only seven golfers were under par in the opening round. Jake Greer shot a 68 and Larry Jobe turned in a 69. The trio of Chase Williams, Nick Sparks and Alex Tull all carded 70s.

Eric Russell 62

Dana Studdard 67

Jake Greer 68

Larry Jobe 69

Chase Williams 70

Nick Sparks 70

Alex Tull 70

Ronnie Fowler 71

Blake Hatfield 71

Collin Burns 71

Cameron Aultman 72

Michael Tull 72

Tom Budny 73

Brandon Robbins 73

Greg Bryant 73

Blake Farris 74

John Wilson 75

Danny Bishop 75

Curt Sparks 75

Gabe Null 76

Tim Wilson 76

Bill Gammon 76

Arl Taylor 76

Russell Gibbs 77

Bill Glenn 77

Steve King 77

Rick Miller, Jr. 77

Zack Taylor 77

Eddie McKinney 77

Brent Moores 78

David Odle 78

Chip Farris 79

Mike Purvis 79

Jayson Johnston 80

Bo Butler 80

Rick Miller, Sr. 80

Dick Spink 80

Sam Wilson 80

Parker Rhett 80

Harris Gholson 81

Ellis Rhett 81

Dustin Bridges 82

Robert Kather 82

Charlie Bain 83

Jim Mealer 83

Billy Taylor 83

Billy Gray 83

Raymon Owen 83

Ryan Enis 84

Bud Brooks 85

Terry Vanderford 85

Jerry Smith 86

Jim Miller 86

David Robbins 87

Dennis Cox 87

Danny Shipman 87

D.D. Smith 89

Charlie Counce 89

Donny Shadburn 91

Nick McCarthy 94

Spencer Ritts 97

Bryan Bain 97

Chris Terry 98

Heath Shipman 100

Ben White 101

Creighton Nelms DQ