Cochran, Watson share Champions Tour lead

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CARY, N.C., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Russ Cochran, seeking his first Champions Tour win, shared the first-round lead with Denis Watson Friday at the SAS Championship.

They each shot a 6-under 66 at the Prestonwood Country Club.

Tom Pernice Jr., making his Champions Tour debut, was tied for third place at 67 with Joey Sindelar, Larry Mize, R.W. Eaks, Dan Forsman and Jim Thorpe.

Thorpe pleaded guilty in a Florida court this week to failing to pay $2 million in income taxes during a three-year period beginning in 2002.

Cochran struggled early in his rookie season, but finished among the Top 20 at the Senior British Open and was third at the U.S. Senior Open.

"Those really gave me a big boost," Cochran said.

Watson has won four times on the Champions Tour, but has only two Top 10 finishes this season.

Nick Price, Andy Bean, Tom Jenkins, Bobby Wadkins, Scott Simpson, D.A. Weibring and Chip Beck were tied for ninth at 68.