Romero, Purtzer share Champions lead

Sandestin, Fla. -- Eduardo Romero and Tom Purtzer tied the course record, 9-under 62, Friday to share the opening-round lead at the Boeing Championship at Sandestin, Fla.

Romero is trying to bounce back after letting the Senior PGA Championship slip from his grasp last week. He led after each of the first three rounds before fading down the stretch in an event won by Denis Watson.

Jim Thorpe and Jay Haas shared third place after shooting 64s at the Raven Golf Club.

Purtzer called the course, "defenseless." The 76 players in the field combined to make 352 birdies -- 126 more than were made in the first round last year.

Watson backed up his win last week with a 65 Friday, and was joined at that figure by David Edwards, Brad Bryant, Larry Nelson, John Harris, Andy Bean, Tom Wargo, Lonnie Nielsen and Loren Roberts.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.