Dean Wilson jumped out to an early lead Thursday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TCP Louisiana.

Wilson shot a six under 66 to take a one shot lead over Briny Baird, Peter Lonard, and Chez Reavie. "I think stepping out on this course with the wind blowing, you never know what you’re going to get, and it just looks so — it looks so tough looking down the first fairway, and I think birdieing the first hole got me in a good frame of mind, and it led from there" said Wilson.

On a day where gusting winds only added to the test that Pete Dye has created, Wilson was able to birdie four of his last six holes. “When I haven’t shot many scores under par, to come out here and shoot 6-under on a course which I think is a real fair test and it some wind like this, I’m real happy with it,” Wilson said.

With The Masters just around the corner, it is fresh on the minds of the competitors that a win here will stamp their invitation to one of golfs biggest stages.

Jay Williamson said, "I think most of the players out here look forward to playing in the Masters and think they can actually win this week. In fact, that’s one of the reasons that I’m here. I’ve never played there, and I’m not getting any younger, unfortunately, and I was about 11 feet last year at the Travelers from getting in, and I couldn’t make the putt. That’s definitely in the back of my mind, and I think — I would say the majority of the guys here teeing it up today feel like they have a chance. "

Twenty five of the players in the field this week have qualified to play at Augusta. Williamson is still hopeful it isn’t too late, and would love an opportunity to make a putt on Sunday for his invite.

"You know, I think it’s just exciting. I think that if you can get your game to a certain level you can be excited by it. I’d certainly rather make a putt to go to the Masters and make a putt to make the cut or something like that. I think it would be a great experience to have that opportunity."