Todd Demsey has been in this position before.
He was in this exact spot a year ago in the same Chattanooga Classic at the same Black Creek Club.
Only he's two strokes better this year.
Demsey shot a 10-under-par 62 Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Nationwide Tour event by two strokes over Joe Affrunti, William McGirt and Ted Potter Jr.
"I don't know what it is, but I just feel comfortable here," said Demsey, who made six birdies and two eagles in his bogey-free round. "I love Seth Raynor designs. The greens are always good and I tend to play the par-5s well out here."
Demsey led after a 64 last year and owned the 36-hole lead before shooting 1 over on the weekend. He finished in a tie for 25th.
"Last year, I struggled a little on the weekend knowing that you need to keep going," Demsey said. "You have to be patient and let the birdies come. But you do have to keep going out there."
The former teammate of Phil Mickelson at Arizona State started on the back and did so with a birdie. He eagled No. 14 and birdied 18 to turn at 4 under. A crazy thought popped in his mind after another eagle at No. 4 dropped him to 8 under - possibly shooting 59.
"I sort of thought about it when I eagled No. 4," Demsey said. "But I struggled with the match and couldn't figure out what I needed to do. So I let it go."
Former Vanderbilt player Luke List is in a six-way tie for fifth after a 6-under 66 on the course he played as a prep star at Baylor School.
"The wind really swirled and that was something you had to deal with, but I was happy with the way I played," said List, who goes off No. 1 at 8:20 this morning. "It's a good start. I'll get fresh greens in the morning and be able to tear it up."
He's tied with former Alabama star Michael Thompson, who received a sponsor's exemption and got married 13 days ago. Brad Adamonis, Jeff Klauk, Robert Damron and Gary Woodland also are at 66.
"I got into a good rhythm with a birdie on the first, and that got me going," Thompson said. "I made a lot of good swings. It's a good solid round and I can't complain about being tied for fifth. Playing at the next level is just a treat."
Thompson is playing in his first Nationwide Tour event of the year after spending the year on the Hooters Tour. Affrunti, McGirt and Potter all have more Nationwide Tour experience.
This is Affrunti's second Chattanooga Classic. He Monday-qualified into his first one several years ago.
"I've come a long way with everything in my game," said Affrunti, who is two off the lead. "I've learned there's no need to hit driver every hole. I put an old putter back in the bag, and I've had a good feeling all week."
Demsey's had that feeling before, too.