HOOVER, Ala.
— Friday marked the first time in his Champions Tour career that has been a leader/co-leader after the opening round. His 7-under 65 was his best starting round on the Champions Tour this year and his lowest round since he posted a 65 on Sunday at the Toshiba Classic in March. • For the fourth time in the last four years, the first-round leader/co-leaders at the Regions Charity Classic have shot 65. Last year, was tied with Mike Goodes with a 65 and Bean eventually won the event by one stroke over Goodes. • Since its inception in 1992, no tournament winner has posted a score higher than 70 in the opening round and 13 of the 17 winners have had first-round scores in the 60s. Seven winners have put together three consecutive rounds in the 60s, including four of the last six champions ( opened with 70 in 2007 Bean closed with 70 last year). • continued his good play in his first appearance at the Regions Charity Classic. After finishing tied for third in his last start last month at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am near Tampa, Sutton opened with a 6-under 66 today, his third consecutive round in the 60s. Sutton’s score was his first career opening round in the 60s on the Champions Tour. • ‘s 6-under 66 today was his career-low round on the Champions Tour. A four-time winner on the PGA TOUR including the 1987 Masters, Mize joined the Champions Tour last fall at the SAS Championship. • , a winner of eight PGA TOUR titles including the 1986 PGA Championship, made his Champions Tour debut today and opened with a 4-over 76 (tied for 73rd). • became the only player to have competed in every Regions Charity Classic when he made his 18th consecutive start in the tournament today. The 70-year-old Dent, a winner in Birmingham in 1994, carded a 1-over 73.
• made his 130th consecutive appearance in events he’s been eligible for on the Champions Tour. Gilder shot 2-under 70 today.