MIAMI - England's Justin Rose carded a course record 12-under-par 60 to grab the early first-round lead at the Walt Disney Classic on Thursday.

Playing on the Lake Buena Vista Palms course, one of two layouts being used for the $4.6-million event, Rose's round included a remarkable run of 10 birdies over his first 12 holes, including six straight from the seventh.

The previous record of 61 was shared by Mark Lyle and Carl Pettersson.

"That is by far my lowest round, I was in uncharted territory today," Rose told reporters.

Rose got his day off to a sizzling start with birdies on his opening three holes and after a par-birdie-par stutter at four, five and six stepped up his assault with three more birdies to complete the front nine in seven-under 29.

The 26-year-old carried his momentum into the turn with three birdies from the 10th before capping off his bogey-free round with two more birdies at the 14th and 17th followed by a par at the last.

Rose left himself with a chance to become just the fourth player to shoot a 59 in a PGA Tour event but missed a 15-foot birdie at the par four 18th, tapping in for his 60.

Three Americans, Al Geiberger in 1977, Chip Beck in 1991 and David Duval in 1999, have shot official 59s on the U.S. Tour.

"I'd be lying if I said it (a 59) didn't creep into my mind, I was 10-under through 12 so it was all there for the taking really," said Rose. "All I wanted was a chance to have a putt for 59.

"To get myself to 12-under playing the last hole, so at least you've got a putt at it because you never know if you're going to get that putt again.

"I did that, hit three wood off the tee, hit a six iron to cover the flag all the way and gave myself a putt at it.

"I didn't make it but, hey, it was a great round."

The record round earned Rose a five-shot lead over a trio of Americans, Tag Ridings, Steve Flesch and Bob Tway, who were also playing the Palms and signed for seven-under 65s.

Since the PGA Championships in August, Rose has enjoyed some rich late-season form as he pursued his maiden PGA Tour title, posting four top-15 results in his last five events, including a runner-up finish at the Texas Open.

Defending champion Lucas Glover and world number 13 Trevor Immelman of South Africa managed to stay in sight of the leader, headlining a group of players in the clubhouse at six-under 66 while Australia's Stuart Appleby, twice a winner this season, was one shot further adrift at five-under 67 alongside Americans Chris DiMarco and Davis Love III.

World number five Vijay Singh of Fiji, the top-ranked player in the field and the 2003 Disney champion, was among the late starters playing the Magnolia course and was one-under through eight holes.