Thorpe, Jenkins share Champions Tour lead

BLAINE, Minn., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Tom Jenkins and Jim Thorpe took advantage of ideal scoring conditions Friday to fire rounds of 8-under 64, leaving them tied in the lead at the 3M Championship.

The event went on at the TPC of Twin Cities despite Wednesday's fatal bridge collapse about 15 miles away in the heart of Minneapolis.

Nine players shared third place at 65 -- including Jay Haas, Craig Stadler and Hale Irwin.

"In the wake of the recent tragedy in our community, we will additionally raise money for the Minnesota Red Cross through on-site efforts this weekend with support from the tournament, the players and the Champions Tour," 3M Championship Director Hollis Cavner said.

All but 21 of the field of 78 broke par Friday. The 69.833 stroke average was the second-lowest on the Champions Tour this year.

Jenkins has won seven times on the Champions Tour and has at least one win every year since 2005. He has yet to win this season.

Senior British Open champion tom Watson was among those at 3-under 69, tied for 27th place.