NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 16 (UPI) -- A birdie on the last hole Friday lifted Bernhard Langer into a share of the lead with Olin Browne and Bobby Clampett after one round of the Toshiba Classic.
Fully recovered from wrist surgery that cost him much of the 2011 season, Langer and his fellow leaders shot a 6-under 65 at the Newport Beach Country Club.
Tom Kite, Steve Pate, Bill Glasson, David Eger and Loren Roberts all had a 66. CBS golf analyst Gary McCord, making a rare appearance on the Champions Tour, was part of a large group at 67. Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia also shot that score.
The highlight to Langer's round came at the par-4 sixth, where he holed an 8-iron from the fairway for an eagle.
Browne is coming off his best year on the over-50 tour, having won the U.S. Senior Open. Clampett has never finished better than fourth on the circuit.
