Senior golfers leads on regular tour

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Tom Pernice, Jr., who last month won in his Champions Tour debut, returned to the regular circuit Thursday and promptly grabbed a share of the lead.

Pernice shot a 9-under 62 that tied him with Troy Matteson and Spencer Levin for first place after the opening round of the Shriners Hospital for Children Open.

The event is being played at the TPC-Summerlin course, with Justin Timberlake as host.

Pernice turned 50 on Sept. 5 and three weeks later won the SAS Championship on the Champions Tour. He became the third player this year to win in his debut on the senior circuit, joining Tom Lehman and Michael Allen.

Pernice has won twice on the regular tour, but not since 2001. He ranks only 161st on the PGA Tour money list this year, but a victory would keep him eligible for the circuit for the next two years.

Matteson is 132nd on the money list and Levin is 139th. Only the top 125 money-earners receive full playing rights for the 2010 season.

Bob Heintz and Martin Laird shared fourth at 63 while Scott Piercy and Jim Furyk were at 64. Furyk was on the United States team that won the Presidents Cup last week.