Constellation Energy Classic 2006

Jim Thorpe was even par after playing four holes in unspectacular fashion. On his second shot at No. 5, he hit a 3-wood about 238 yards to 3 feet, then tapped in for an eagle.

"From that point on," Thorpe said, "I was looking for birdies. I made it my business to shoot at flags the rest of the way."

Thorpe finished with a 6-under 66 Friday to take a two-shot lead into the clubhouse in the rain-delayed first round of the Constellation Energy Classic. Play in the Champions Tour event was suspended after 43 of the 79 players completed 18 holes.

Massy Kuramoto, Tom Jenkins and Walter Hall finished at 68, and Brad Bryant, Mark Johnson and Hajime Meshiai also were 4 under when play was halted. Bryant and Johnson completed 17 holes and Meshiai was on 15.

Tom Kite and Jay Haas were among seven players in the clubhouse at 69. Five others were 3 under, including 2004 champion Wayne Levi, who completed 14 holes.

The round was scheduled to be completed Saturday morning before the start of the second round.

Thorpe, who attended college at nearby Morgan State in Baltimore, opened with a bogey and birdied No. 3 before getting a boost from his 10th eagle of the year. He birdied five of the final 13 holes, including three in a row on the back nine, in his best round since July 8.

"This is the type of golf course that gives up a lot of birdies," Thorpe said, "but I did not think that course would be like that today because of the weather conditions. It just goes to show you the competition we've got here."

Despite the rain, 48 players were at par or better when play was halted.

Thorpe is winless on the tour this year, but hopes to benefit from being reunited this week with caddy Tony Shepherd, who had worked with Thorpe since 1999 but departed by mutual agreement in June.

Thorpe's brother took over, but didn't provide enough insight or encouragement.

"My brother is a good guy, but he's not quite positive enough for me. It's refreshing to have Tony back," Thorpe said. "Tony knows the game very, very well. He knows what I can do and what I can't do, and he's a very positive guy on the golf course."

Jenkins shot a bogey-free round, but the most memorable facet of his day was playing in a group with 77-year-old Arnold Palmer.

"He was one of my heroes when I was growing up, and even at this age he's still one of my heroes," Jenkins said.

Palmer parred the first three holes and was only 2-over after six. But he got a triple bogey on No. 7 and made the turn at 6-over, then fell apart as the rain intensified. The four-time Masters champion shot a 9 on the par-5 18th hole and hit the clubhouse at 17-over 89.

Palmer was playing on the Champions Tour for the first time since October, and his peers were delighted to see him back in action. Before the round, Palmer gave both Jenkins and Haas a personalized ball marker, guaranteeing they would make all their putts if they used the coin.

After Jenkins missed a 40-foot putt on No. 9 and Palmer parred the hole, Jenkins insisted they exchange markers. Palmer complied.

Jenkins made three birdies on the back nine. Palmer shot an 11-over 47.