Reno, Nevada, Aug 2, 2012 (AFP) - Romero finished with seven birdies and 14 points under the modified Stableford scoring system. Players get eight points for double eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for double bogey or worse.
It's the first time in six years the scoring system has been used on the USPGA Tour since the International in Colorado.
Tour rookie Noh, 21, had seven birdies and a bogey for 13 points at Montreux Golf & Country Club.
Josh Teater, John Mallinger and Ricky Barnes were tied for third with 11 points. John Daly was in a group another point back after carding six birdies and two bogeys.
New Zealand's Danny Lee was tied with Daly and three others after posting six birdies and two bogeys.
Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the $3 million Reno-Tahoe Open (USA unless noted, under the stableford system, points are awarded for your score on hole. Eight points are given for a double eagle, five for an eagle, two for a birdie and zero points for par. A player will lose a point for a bogey and three for double bogey or worse):
14 - Andres Romero (ARG)
13 - Seung-Yul Noh (KOR)
11 - Josh Teater, Ricky Barnes, John Mallinger
10 - Hunter Haas, J.J. Henry, John Daly, Patrick Cantlay, Danny Lee (NZL)
9 - Todd Hamilton, Chris Kirk, Harrison Frazar, Bryce Molder, Billy Mayfair
8 - Stuart Appleby (AUS), John Rollins, Joe Durant, Alexandre Rocha (BRA), Brendon Todd, Matt Bettencourt