By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Even longtime PGA TOUR veterans need to make moves in the Fall Series sometimes. Take Scott McCarron for example. A decade removed from his third PGA TOUR victory, the 46-year-old entered this week at No. 163 on the money list, needing to make up nearly $300,000 in two weeks to retain his TOUR card. McCarron can’t make up ground on that front on a Thursday, but he did set himself up nicely. The veteran closed with a trio of birdies to reach 6 under after the first round of the McGladrey Classic. He’s one shot out of the lead. “It was a very solid day,” McCarron said. “I hit it pretty well off the tee, hit a lot of good iron shots and I putted really well. I love these greens. They’re rolling fantastic.” McCarron, who hasn’t posted a top 10 since last May, needed 28 putts on a day he hit 15 greens in regulation with a new set of irons in his bag. “It’s a good start to the week,” he said. “I put in a new set of PING irons when I missed the cut at the (Frys.com Open). My other set, the grooves were pretty much so gone and worn, and I’ve just been so reluctant to change… That gave me some confidence to hit some shots and hold some greens and hit the right distances.” With renewed confidence, a hot flatstick and a start that has him one shot out of the lead, McCarron has a chance to move much closer to (or into) the top 125 on the money list and retain full status on the PGA TOUR. “I’m so very happy with the way I played today,” McCarron said. “I putted beautifully. I just love this golf course, and I've got a great opportunity in front of me.”