Rachels takes narrow advantage

Sammy Rachels birdied five of the last seven holes for an 8-under-par 64 and a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Farmers Charity Classic on Friday.

Rachels didn't have a putt longer than 12 feet in the back-nine run and posted his best round of the season. He played just seven tournaments in 2003 after a motorcycle injury led to rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder last June.

Champions Tour rookie Sam Torrance was second after an opening 65 at the 7,080-yard Egypt Valley Country Club.

Fred Gibson, Stewart Ginn, Dave Eichelberger, Vicente Fernandez and Bob Gilder are two shots back at 6 under. Gilder had two eagles on the back nine, including holing a 7-iron shot from 161 yards at No. 18.

A total of 51 golfers in the 78-player field shot par or better in the opening round.

Torrance needed just 21 putts in his first competitive round at Egypt Valley. Playing in the first group, Torrance had seven birdies in a bogey-free round.

The 2002 European Ryder Cup captain's best finish on the Champions Tour was a tie for seventh at the MasterCard Classic three months ago.

Hale Irwin, coming off a victory at last week's Senior PGA Championship, had a 1-under 71.

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