Bertsch was the last player to register for the five-day, four-course tournament after a comically difficult travel path from Hawaii to the Palm Springs area, yet he still posted the best round of his PGA Tour career.
Bertsch had 10 birdies without a bogey even while helping line up putts for his pro-am playing partners under intermittent rain and wind.
"I was just comfortable," Bertsch said. "I always like these formats, because I help the guys out, and it keeps me maybe not so focused on myself until it's time to hit, and then I just go and hit."
J.P. Hayes, George McNeill, Joe Ogilvie and Garrett Willis were three strokes back. Heath Slocum, who skipped last week's Sony Open while his wife gave birth, was in a large group at 6 under.
Bertsch takes Hope Classic lead
