Toshiba Classic: First-Round Notebook

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NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- First-round leader Tim Simpson matched his career-low round on Friday when he fashioned an 8-under-par 63 at the Newport Beach Country Club. Simpson has had four 63s during his career with the last coming in the opening round of the 1995 Nike Tri-Cities Open. Prior to that, his previous low effort came in the final round of the PGA TOUR's 1989 Southern Open in Columbus, Ga. His career low on the Champions Tour was a 65 at the 2007 SAS Championship.

Mark Johnson is seeking his second Toshiba title. (Laberge/WireImage)

Inside the Numbers

18-Hole Leaderboard

Player Score 1. Tim Simpson 63 -8 2. Mark Johnson 64 -7 T3. Bernhard Langer 65 -6 T3. Jay Haas 65 -6 T3. Mike Goodes 65 -6 T6. Craig Stadler 66 -5 T6. Ben Crenshaw 66 -5 T6. Bruce Lietzke 66 -5 T6. D.A. Weibring 66 -5

• This marks the first time Simpson has led a Champions Tour event since he joined the Tour during the 2006 campaign. The last time he held a lead in a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event came at the 1995 Nike Tri-Cities Open, where he held a two-stroke lead after an opening-round 63.

• Sandy Lyle made his first start on the Champions Tour and shot a 1-under-par 70 on Friday.

• Mark Johnson, who is playing on a sponsor's exemption, shot a 7-under-par 64 on Friday, his best round since a second-round 64 at the 2005 Blue Angels Classic in Florida. His low round on the Champions Tour came at this event in 2005 when he had a second-round 63. He went on to capture the title the following day for his lone Champions Tour title.

• Defending champion Jay Haas showed no dropoff from his 2007 performance when he posted a tournament-record 19-under-par total of 194 a year ago. Haas, with just one bogey at No. 17, shot a 6-under-par 65 on Friday and is currently tied for third.

• Open qualifier Mike Goodes shot a 6-under-par 65 in the first round. Goodes has open qualified in three of four events this year. The North Carolina native was a long-time amateur standout in his home state before turning professional and joining the Champions Tour last year. He open qualified seven times in 2007.

• Allen Doyle continues to enjoy success at the Toshiba Classic. The 2000 champion has been among the top eight in six of his eight appearances at Newport Beach Country Club and got off to another good start on Friday, shooting a 4-under-par 67. It was Doyle's 21st round in the 60s in 27 starts. He has posted just two rounds over par (opening-round 75 in 2004 and final-round 73 in 2006). He is a combined 63 under par and is second in all-time career earnings, with $660,617.

• Scott Hoch shot a 4-under-par 67 in his first round as he attempts to claim his third consecutive title on the Champions Tour. Hoch was cruising along at 6 under par when he hit his tee shot into the water at No. 17. He took a triple bogey, but rebounded with a birdie at No. 18 to close out his day.

• Jim Thorpe withdrew early in his opening round due to illness.

• The field averaged 69.679 on Friday with 42 rounds in the 60s. Last year the opening-round average was 70.154. The most difficult hole on Friday was No. 16 (4.231/+.231), while No. 18 was the easiest at 4.462 (-.538). There were three eagles and 38 birdies on No. 18.

• Mark Johnson, Tim Simpson, Mike Goodes, Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Wargo and Leonard Thompson all had bogey-free rounds.

• Tim Simpson and Mark Johnson had the fewest putts on Friday -- 24 -- and Sandy Lyle had the day's longest drive of 327 yards on No. 12.