TAMPA, Fla., April 15 (UPI) -- Russ Cochran sank seven birdies en route to a 7-under-par 64 and a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.
Cochran, seeking his third Champions Tour title, has only once converted a first-round lead into a victory in eight tries. That came in the 2010 SAS Championship, when he also carded an opening-round 64.
Cochran played the back nine first. His best hole was his 17th on No. 8 at TPC Tampa Bay, when he nearly holed it in two shots. He came up only six inches short of the cup on his approach shot.
Sharing second place at 5-under 66 were John Cook and Jay Don Blake. Each notched six birdies and a bogey.
Finishing 18 holes in fourth place at minus-4 was Kenny Perry, who was making his 2011 Champions Tour debut.
