Things to Know

• Seeking his first win since 2015, 60-year-old Billy Andrade carded a bogey-free 63, which included birdies on Nos. 14-18 (his fifth through ninth holes of the day). He holds a four-stroke lead, the largest after the first round by any player since 2021, over four players including two-time defending champion Steve Stricker.

Billy Andrade, 33-30 – 63 (-7)

• This is the largest 18-hole lead of the 2024 season on PGA TOUR Champions (4). Previous four-stroke lead after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions: Steve Stricker (2021 Kaulig Companies Championship). This is the largest 18-hole lead in the seven-year history of the Sanford International.
• Matched his second-lowest 18-hole score on PGA TOUR Champions (738th round). Lowest: 62 (2014 Rogers Charity Classic, Final Round).
• The 60-year-old seeks his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions (241st start). Last win: 2015 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Note: all three of his wins on PGA TOUR Champions were in 2015.
• With a win on Sunday, he would snap a winless streak of 8 years, 10 months, 8 days (or 3,235 days) dating back to the 2015 Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
• Making his 21st start of the 2024 season, he has one top-10 finish. Best finish: T6 (DICK’S Open).
• Making his fifth appearance at the Sanford International, his best finish is T16 (2021).
• This is his first outright lead after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions. Entered the week having co-led after the first round on four occasions.

Other notes

• Seeking his third consecutive win at the Sanford International, Steve Stricker opened with 3-under 67 and sits T2.. With a win on Sunday, he would become the first player in history to three-peat on both the PGA TOUR (John Deere Classic, 2009-11) and PGA TOUR Champions (Sanford International, 2022-present). It would be his fourth overall victory in the seven-year history of the Sanford International, previously winning in 2018, 2022 and 2023.. His position by round in his last six rounds at the Sanford International (chronologically): T4-Won-T1-1st-Won-T2.
• Seeking his second win in four starts, Ken Tanigawa sits T2 after shooting 3-under 67. Tanigawa’s last win was the Rogers Charity Classic (August 16-18).
• 2024 Q-School graduates Steve Allan and Michael Wright each posted 67 and sit T2.
• Charlie Wi, Harrison Frazar and Richard Green are T6 after each carding 2-under 68.
• Charles Schwab Cup leader Ernie Els (T13) opened with even-par 70.
• South Dakota’s Ryan Jansa (T42) shot 3-over 73.