Keith Clearwater and Russ Cochran share the first-round lead at 5-under-par 66. It has been several years since Clearwater was in this position after the first round. The last time he led/shared lead was in 1993 when he was T1 at the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic, while Clearwater shared the first-round lead earlier this year at the SAS Championship. Prior to that, the last time he led after Round 1 was at the 1999 Southern Farm Bureau Classic.
In the final run to next week's Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Sonoma, CA, here is a rundown on how players 30-34 on the money list stand after the opening round:
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Hole No. 7 was the most difficult with an average score of 4.299 (+.299) and only three players made birdie on the hole -- Tim Simpson, Scott Simpson and Kirk Hanefeld. The easiest hole was No. 15 at 4.597 (-.403).
The field averaged 71.403 for the day with 22 rounds in the 60s and 31 rounds under par. A year ago the field averaged 70.705.
Defending champion John Cook shot a 3-under-par 68 and is T7.
Five players remain in the hunt for the Charles Schwab Cup title. With 255 points available this week, here is where those players stand after the opening round:
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Two former Texas Longhorns are among the leaders. Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw each fired 4-under-par 67s and are currently T3. Kite is trying to end a 0-125 streak in his home state.
David Eger was the only player in the 77-man field to play bogey free golf.
R.W. Eaks was forced to withdraw during his round due to back problems.
Crenshaw birdied three of four par-3 holes on Friday.
Bob Gilder made his 145th consecutive appearance in events he's been eligible for on Friday.