Kite out front in Champions Tour major

POTOMAC, Md., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Tom Kite took advantage of calm conditions in the morning Thursday to shoot a 3-under 67 that gave him the lead at the Senior Players Championship.

In the final major event of the year on the Champions Tour, the 60-year-old Kite was one shot in front of Mark O'Meara, Michael Allen and Joe Ozaki. All of them played before the winds picked up at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.

"I like hard golf courses and always have," Kite said. "Most of the wins I've had with few exceptions have come on the harder courses. This golf course certainly fits in that category."

Kite, winner of the 1992 U.S. Open, is seeking his second major title on the Champions circuit.

Loren Roberts, Jeff Sluman, Russ Cochran, Eduardo Romero, Trevor Dodds and David Peoples shared fifth place at even-par 70. Bernhard Langer, winner of both the U.S. and British Senior Opens, was in a large group at 71.

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot a 76 and was tied for 56th in a field of 77. Fred Couples, who has won three times in his rookie Champions Tour season, shot a 78.