Jeff Sluman in front on Champions Tour

BILOXI, Miss., April 1 (UPI) -- Jeff Sluman, the winner of three Champions Tour events since he turned 50 in 2008, grabbed the first-round lead Friday at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.

Sluman shot a 6-under-par 66 at the Fallen Oak Golf Club to finish a shot in front of former British Open champion Tom Lehman. Dan Forsman, David Frost and Nick Price shared third place at 68.

Sluman's round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-4 fourth, where he holed a 9-iron approach.

"The longest putt I made was 3 feet," said Sluman, who won six times on the regular PGA Tour. "If I'm going to have a chance to contend in the golf tournament, I've got to make some putts over 3 feet."

Jay Haas, Steve Lowery, Mark O'Meara, Bill Glasson, Bobby Wadkins, Peter Senior and Ted Schulz shared sixth place at 69. Defending champion David Eger shot a 75.