KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Tom Purtzer opened the Champions Tour season with a 10-under 62 Friday that left him one shot in front at the MasterCard Championship in Hawaii.
On a day of low scoring at the Hualalai course, Purtzer recorded eight birdies to go along with an eagle at the par-5 seventh.
Two-time U.S. Senior Open champion Allen Doyle and Jim Thorpe shared second at 63 while D.A. Weibring was alone in fourth at 64.
Purtzer birdied the first two holes en route to a front nine of 30. He started the back nine with two straight birdies.
"It's kind of a building week," Purtzer said. "I didn't feel like I was very prepared coming over here. I started hitting the ball solid. I hit the driver really good today. That was the key."
Those tied for fifth at 65 included Jay Haas, John Harris, Mark McNulty, Eduardo Romero and Mark Wiebe.
Bernhard Langer, starting his first full season on the Champions Tour, shot a 66.
