SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- John Cook, winless since he captured this event a year ago, shot a 7-under 64 Thursday for a one-shot lead at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Cook, 53, is seeking his fifth victory on the Champions Tour. He got off to a good start, saving par from off the green at the 18th to grab the lead by himself.
Fred Funk and Tom Pernice Jr., shared second at 65 while Tom Lehman posted a 66 at the TPC-Harding Park course and was alone in fourth.
Bernhard Langer, who leads the season-long points race for the Charles Schwab Cup, was among those in a tie for fifth at 67. Fred Couples, the only player who still has a chance to catch Langer in the points race, shot 69.
Langer and Couples were paired together and both had a spectacular shot during their opening round.
Langer made a hole-in-one at the par-3 third and Couples holed out from the fairway for an eagle at the par-5 10th.
Cook's round was highlighted by four straight birdies beginning at the ninth. He is trying to become the first player on the Champions Tour all year to successfully defend a title.
