The way Ocean Point Golf Links plays -- and with a short setup for Saturday -- few holes tempted players to pull driver.

J.D. Hoft only hit his driver twice. But the first was a head-scratcher, a decision similar to ones that have haunted him in the past.

The Bluffton resident opted to try the 270-yard carry over the water on the par-4 ninth hole, hoping to hook his ball up close to the green with the right-to-left wind. The risk paid off.

The shot was safe, and Hoft made par. He went on to shoot a 5-under-par 67 and leads after the first round of the Beaufort City Championship at Fripp Island. He leads by three over Beaufort resident Keith Potts, who opened with a 70.

Defending champion Rob Simmons and Beaufort High School golfer Josh Fickes are five shots off the lead after even-par 72s.

For Hoft to hold on, gambles like the one on No. 9 will have to work in his favor. Because as much as he tries to stay patient and make the smart play, he occasionally goes for broke when the round isn't going his way.

"You learn from the mistakes," Hoft said. "Without a doubt, it's cost me in the past."

Hoft probably can't afford to slip much. The names behind him will be waiting. And unlike years past, the final round also will be held at Ocean Point and not its inland neighbor, Ocean Creek.

Those who play well at Ocean Point get it again, albeit a little longer.

Simmons will be among those in the final group. And he's proven he can close. He won the Hilton Head Amateur this month after facing a five-shot deficit with five holes remaining. At a U.S. Amateur sectional qualifier Friday in North Carolina, Simmons was three shots behind entering his final nine holes, but played the next three holes 3-under-par and birdied the final hole to earn medalist honors.

"It's a lot easier to have fun when you have a couple wins under your belt," Simmons said. "I like to think I have the advantage mentally over the people I'm playing against."

Sixteen-year-old Fickes will be part of the final foursome today, after opening with a 72 for the second consecutive year. He said he likes Ocean Point for its more traditional layout and guessed he would need a round in the 60s to have a chance today.

"I've got to get those putts to fall," Fickes said. "There were about six that were right on the edge."

Hoft also hopes his putter cooperates. He said he's not worried about his ball-striking, that he is comfortable in the windy conditions that will probably be present again today.

The decision-making should prove crucial, with the added length for the final round tempting players to hit more drivers and bring trouble into play.

Hoft concedes he might surrender to the uncharacteristic play now and then. He hasn't been one for conventional wisdom in the past.

He picked up the game as a high school junior after a knee injury ended his soccer career. He walked on the golf team at Campbell University but lost his spot after testing the rules of the private, Baptist school in North Carolina.

Hoft said he blew a good opportunity, that he was too immature. He continued to play. Just without the structure.

He likes where his game stands. His round Saturday included six birdies and a bogey.

"It could have been a lot better," Hoft said. "But it could have been a lot worse."

Beaufort City Championship Scores

Saturday, at Ocean Point Golf Links, Fripp Island; par 72

First round

J.D. Hoft 67

Keith Potts 70

Rob Simmons 72

Josh Fickes 72

Jon Verity 72

Reed Weatherford 73

Benji Gecy 75

Joe Bryant 75

Tommy Earl 75

Dan McCormick 75

Phil Weber 75

Brian Rizzo 76

Larry Mathias 76

Matt Johnson 76

Todd Strattan 77

Dennis Robinson 77

Alex Totusek 77

Patrick Mitchell 77

Mike Marusha 78

Belton McCarty 78

Char Cormier 78

Paul Robinson 78

Jeff Pinckney 79

Don Johnson 79

Russ Fickes 80

Todd Stone 81

Marcus Byler 81

Neilo Gifford 81

Shannon Boyles 81

Adam Johnson 82

Kevin Rhatigan 82

Charles Hrabnok 83

George Smith 85

Wayne Wicker 87

Bob Bicknell 87

Bobby Gecy 89

Ernie Taylor 90

Brian Gecy 90

Dave Zanone 90

Bobby Gecy Sr. 91

Brent Cooper 92

Tom Westlake 93

Hayden Cormier 93

Todd Taylor 99

Jim Lathren 100

Lewis Turner 101

Jimmy Boozer 106

Eddie Andrews 106

Today's Tee Times

Final round

9:10 a.m.: Matt Johnson, Alex Totusek, Todd Strattan

9:20 a.m.: Brent Cooper, Dave Zanone, Bobby Gecy Sr.

9:30 a.m.: Mike Marusha, Belton McCarty, Larry Mathias

9:40 a.m.: Dan McCormick, Jon Verity, Phil Weber

9:50 a.m.: Ernie Taylor, Jim Lathren, Brian Gecy

10 a.m.: Todd Taylor, Jimmy Boozer, Lewis Turner

10:10 a.m.: Eddie Andrews, Tom Westlake, Hayden Cormier

10:20 a.m.: Bobby Gecy, Bob Bicknell, Wayne Wicker

10:30 a.m.: George Smith, Charles Hrabnok, Kevin Rhatigan

10:40 a.m.: Adam Johnson, Neilo Gifford, Marcus Byler

10:50 a.m.: Todd Stone, Shannon Boyles, Russ Fickes

11 a.m.: Jim Manning, Jeff Pinckney, Don Johnson

11:10 a.m.: Paul Robinson, Char Cormier, Patrick Mitchell

11:20 a.m.: Dennis Robinson, Brian Rizzo, Tommy Earl

11:30 a.m.: Benji Gecy, Joe Bryant, Reed Weatherford

11:40 a.m.: J.D. Hoft, Keith Potts, Rob Simmons, Josh Fickes