Toms, Durant share lead in PGA Tour Champions opener

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This article was published 17/01/2019 (2809 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – David Toms and Joe Durant each shot 7-under 65 in windy conditions Thursday to share the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

The 52-year-old Toms closed his bogey-free round with a 2-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th. He won the U.S. Senior Open last year for his first Champions title after winning 13 times on the PGA Tour.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Toms said. “I had played well all week, but we hadn’t had any wind, so that was nice to go out there and be able to control the ball and do all the things you need to do to be able to play in the wind. Got off to a good start and just kind of kept going.”

The 54-year-old Durant also birdied the 18th. The four-time PGA Tour winner took the Chubb Classic last season for his third career victory on the 50-and-over circuit.

“It was tricky, especially the last couple days it was pretty benign for here, so when we got out there today, what was 10 to 15 (mph) felt like 30 at times,” Durant said. “Tricky with the pins being a little more difficult. The greens rolled nicely, but that wind, it was tough. You had to hit some really good shots.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Scott Parel were tied for third at 68. Jimenez won at Hualalai in 2015.

Vijay Singh topped a large group at 69.

Bernhard Langer, the tournament winner in 2009, 2014 and 2017, opened with a 70.

Steve Stricker also shot 70, playing alongside defending champion Jerry Kelly in a pairing of Madison, Wisconsin, friends. Kelly had a 71.

Fred Couples shot 72, and John Daly had a 73.