CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Rocco Mediate played the final five holes in 6-under par Friday, a stretch that vaulted him into a one-shot lead at the Shaw Charity Classic.
Mediate, with one victory on the Champions Tour since becoming eligible for the circuit last December, went birdie, eagle, par, birdie, eagle on the closing stretch at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.
That gave him an 8-under 63 in the opening round, one shot ahead of Bart Bryant, Rod Spittle, Jeff Sluman and Bobby Clampett.
Sandy Lyle and Craig Stadler, both major championship winners on the regular PGA Tour, were among those tied for sixth at 65.
John Riegger, whose first Champions Tour victory came a week ago in Seattle, shot a 69.
Mediate's lone triumph on the over-50 circuit came in the opening event of the year -- The Allianz Championship. He has had four Top 10 finishes since then, including a tie for third at the U.S. Senior Open.
