WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, June 2 (UPI) -- Scott Simpson shot 7-under 64 Friday and has the first-round lead of the Allianz Championship at West Des Moines, Iowa.
He has a one-shot lead over Jim Thorpe, Doug Tewell, Bruce Lietzke and Mark McNulty.
"If you're hitting good shots you're going to make a lot of birdies," Simpson said about his round, which featured five birdies, including one on the first hole. "It was really fun to make those five birdies in a row. It's fun to be competitive again. This tour is really fun. I've had so much fun."
Simpson is winless on the Champions Tour since joining the circuit near the end of 2005, but he has at least a share of the lead after the first round for the third time this season.
Loren Roberts, a three-time winner this season, Graham Marsh, Mike McCullough, Gil Morgan, David Edwards and 2002 winner Bob Gilder share sixth place at 5-under 66.
