Jeff Curl and Eric Steger both shot 5-under-par 67s to share the first-round lead at the Connecticut Open at Torrington Country Club Monday.

Curl, the 2007 Open champion, is an Ellington native. Steger is an Indiana native who moved here two years ago and lives in Rocky Hill.

Dan Balin, an assistant pro out of Burning Tree CC in Greenwich, Jeff Hogan, an amateur from Watertown GC, and Tommy McDonagh, the 2006 Connecticut State Amateur winner at Torrington CC, all shot 68 and trail the leaders by 1.

Matt Smith, the 2012 Amateur winner, and C.J. Swift (Great River GC) are tied for sixth at 68. 2002 CT Open champ and Shelton resident Jim St. Pierre leads a big group of golfers who posted 70. Defending champion Jason Caron and ex-PGA Tour players and two-time CT Open winner are among group at 71.