NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Don Pooley and Vicente Fernandez shot 4-under-par 68 and share a one-stroke lead through 18 holes at the Champions ACE Group Classic in Naples, Fla.
Pooley, a non-winner on the Champions Tour for nearly five years, closed with three straight birdies. Fernandez, 62, who has a similar non-winning streak, totaled five birdies with his lone bogey at par-4 fifth.
"I'm very happy with the way I struck the ball," Fernandez said. "When I missed the fairway, I missed on the good side."
Jay Haas (69) and Wayne Levi (69) share second, with seven players tied for fifth at 2-under 70.
Haas lost a chance to join the leaders when he was assessed a two-stroke penalty because his club touched a piece of pine straw on his backswing in a hazard at the 12th.
He was the leader at 5-under through 12 holes.
Defending champion Scott Hoch began with a disastrous 8-over 80. R.W. Eaks and J.C. Snead also shot 80 and both withdrew.
