Canadian veteran Stephen Ames opened with an eight-under par 64 opening round to take a one-stroke lead at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
The 61-year-old, who has four PGA Tour wins and nine on the Champions Tour, converted from the intermediate rough on the par-4 No. 18 to take a birdie into the second round. He carded five birdies in a six-hole stretch at from on the second to seventh holes on his way to the bogey-free round.
World Golf Hall of Fame member and 66-year-old Fred Couples shot a 65 to be tied joint second with Freddie Jacobsen shot 65s while defending champion Ernie Els is one of seven golfers two shots off the lead.
Jacobson is one of seven first timers in the field at Hualalai this week, is seeking his first win on PGA TOUR Champions.
In joint seventh with Els are Jay Haas David Duval, Stewart Cink, Canadian Mike Weir, Australia’s Richard Green, and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez..
Sixty-two-year-old Vijay Singh, who finished tied for 40th at last week’s Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, followed it up with a 6-under 69.
LEADERBOARD
| Player | To Par | Scores | |
| 1 | Stephen Ames | -8 | 31-33 – 64 |
| T2 | Freddie Jacobson | -7 | 33-32 – 65 |
| Fred Couples | -7 | 32-33 – 65 | |
| T4 | Seven players tied | -6 |
