Couples ties mark in taking Seniors lead

PITTSBURGH, June 29 (UPI) -- Defending champion Fred Couples rode a 7-under-par 63 Friday to the lead of the Senior Players Championship in Pittsburgh.

Couples, who won the 2011 Senior Players Champions in a playoff, tied the 18-hole tournament record Friday and beat the 36-hole record by two strokes. He had eight birdies and one bogey in his 63 and is at 11-under 129 for a one-stroke lead over Joe Daley, who was 6-under Friday.

Tom Lehman is in third at 7-under after a 3-under 67. Mark Calcavecchia (65), Bill Glasson (67), Michael Allen (68) and Jay Don Blake (65) are tied for fourth at 6-under 134.

First-round leader Bruce Vaughan was 4-over Friday and dropped into a tie for 17th at 2-under for 36 holes.

Couples had a bogey-free 4-under 66 Thursday and jumped up the leader board with four birdies in his first six holes Friday. He had a 5 at the par-4 12th but rebounded with a birdie at No. 13.

A string of birdies over 15-17 allowed him to pull clear and set the 36-hole record.