Sam Carter has the lead after the first round of qualifying at the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Senior Masters. Carter put together a five-game block of 1,142 to lead the field of 268 of the top senior bowlers age 50 and over in the world at South Point Bowling Center.

"I was all over the place, trying every angle to the pocket so I could carry," Carter said. "When you lost that angle into the pocket, it was very easy to get nine pins. But I managed to strike on the pairs I could strike on."

"You never know what you are going to get on the burn squad until you get out there," Carter said. "I think I should be OK on the fresh the next couple of days, though."

Mike Dias had a chance to overtake Carter in the final game of the day, but he left the 7 pin on his second shot in the 10th frame to finish in second place with 1,133 and Marc Lineberry finished in third with 1,124.

Everyone will bowl 15 games before the cut is made and the double-elimination match-play bracket starts. The top 63 players plus defending champion Mike Edwards will begin bracket play Thursday morning.