Morgan, Thompson tied for senior lead

MILTON, Fla., April 18 (UPI) -- Gil Morgan and Leonard Thompson earned a share of the first-round lead Friday at the Emerald Coast Classic, shooting bogey-free 7-under-par 63s at The Moors Golf Club.

Morgan birdied seven of his first 15 holes to grab the lead as he seeks his first title of the season. The 2000 champion has been in the top seven each of his last five starts, finishing second twice.

Thompson rolled in his final birdie at the closing hole to tie Morgan for the lead. Thompson, who has lost 40 pounds since last season, has not won since 2001.

Tom Watson and Bruce Fleisher are tied for third after carding 64s, a stroke better than Vicente Fernandez of Argentina and Jim Holtgrieve.