Tom Purtzer leads with record round

Tom Purtzer's trip to visit his daughter, a college student in Australia, proved more than just a vacation.

Purtzer, who won the Australian Senior PGA Championship during his visit two weeks ago, was still full of confidence Friday. He tied a course record by shooting a 7-under-par 65 for a one-stroke lead in the first round of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

"It was kind of a businessman's holiday,'' Purtzer said. "I happened to see they were playing that tournament that weekend. I e-mailed a guy I knew, and he said I'd be welcome to play down there.''

"It was good, because if I hadn't played there, I probably wouldn't have played at all'' during the Champions Tour's recent monthlong break, he added.

Ireland's Des Smyth, who won the SBC Classic in March, was a shot behind at 66 at the Club at Savannah Harbor, an island layout in the middle of the Savannah River. Jay Haas, Andy Bean, Morris Hatalsky and Wayne Levi were at 67.

Purtzer, seeking his first victory since the 2004 Toshiba Senior Classic, overcame a three-putt bogey at No. 2 by going bogey-free the rest of the round. He reeled off eight birdies, coming within a foot of an ace at No. 8, and had reasonable chances for birdies on the final four holes.

"I put a hybrid club in my bag yesterday,'' Purtzer said. "I used it a couple of times with good success today.''

The Legends, which spawned the senior circuit 25 years ago, had been played in four cities and on eight courses before moving to Savannah in 2003.

"I'm finally getting used to this course,'' said Purtzer, who tied for sixth in Savannah last year. "I think it sets up well for me.''

Purtzer's 65 tied the course record set by Bruce Lietzke in 2003 and equaled by Gil Morgan in the first round last year.

Defending champion Hale Irwin, seeking his third victory in seven events this season for the over-50 crowd, struggled to a 71. Irwin grew so frustrated he flung his driver up the seventh fairway.

Craig Stadler shot a 68, Ben Crenshaw a 69 and Curtis Strange a 72.

Meanwhile, Lietzke and Bill Rodgers teamed for a blistering 9-under 63 to lead after round one of the Raphael Division two-man team, better-ball event.

Tom Watson and Andy North followed at 8-under-par 64 along with the duo of John Bland and Graham Marsh. Chi Chi Rodriguez and Larry Ziegler were one shot further back at 7-under-par 65.

Lietzke and Rogers, the 2002 Raphael Division champions, ran off six birdies on the front nine to go out in 30. The duo then tallied three birdies on the inward half.

Frank Beard and Don Bies finished alone in fifth place at 5-under-par 67. Gibby Gilbert and Mike Hill followed at 4-under-par 68.

Divots: Purtzer went into this tournament leading the Champions Tour in driving distance, averaging 293 yards, almost 5 yards longer than Stadler. ... This is Purtzer's seventh Champions event this season and his eighth round in the 60s.

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