OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Bruce Lietzke shot a 9-under-par 63 Friday at the Gaillardia Country Club, giving him a one-stroke lead midway through the Senior Tour Championship.
Lietzke recorded the lowest round of his brief Senior Tour career, which began when he turned 50 in July. He was bogey free Friday after closing the first round with two straight birdies.
He became the second rookie in as many days to lead the event. Bob Gilder opened with a 67 for a one-shot lead over Tom Kite.
At 10-under 134, Lietzke was a stroke ahead of Gilder as he seeks his third title in just 10 Senior Tour starts. A 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, Lietzke won the 3M Championship in August and last month's SAS Championship.
Gilder had an eagle and double-bogey over his first five holes en route to a 68. He is looking for his second title in 30 Senior Tour starts, although he was second last week at the SBC Championship.
Kite and 1997 winner Gil Morgan were tied for third at 136 with defending champion Tom Watson at 137 and Jose Maria Canizares of Spain at 138.
Bruce Fleisher and 1998 champ Hale Irwin were tied for seventh at 140. Fleisher needs at least a runner-up finish to pass Allen Doyle and win the inaugural $1 million Charles Schwab Cup bonus.
Doyle was near the bottom of the 30-player field, sitting 13 shots back at 147.
