Darren Clarke rolled in two eagles in his scintillating first round seven-under par 65 to share the lead with Michael Wright at the Chubb Classic golf championships in Naples.
Clarke also carded five birdies to cancel out two dropped shots before he eagled the 15th and 18th holes as he chases his first individual Champions Tour win since the 2022 Senior Open.
The 57-year-old six time PGA Tour winner, last tasted success at last year’s American Family Insurance Championship, a team event with partner Thomas Bjørn.
He is making his second start of the season, having finished T7 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai last month.
As for Wright, he opened with a 5-under through 12 holes, but double-bogeyed No. 13 before birdying four of his last five holes.
The 51-year-old Australian is seeking his his first win on PGA Tour title, leads the field in birdies with nine.
Defending champion Justin Leonard is trailing by one stroke with three others after carding eight birdies en route to opening round of 66.
Despite a double-bogey on No. 17, 2020 winner Scott Parel birdied Nos. 11-15 on his way to 6-under 66.
Ricardo Gonzalez closed with eagle on No. 18 to shoot 6-under 66, looking to add to his lone victory on Tour he win in February at the 2024 Trophy Hassan II.
Rob Labritz is also T3 after he birdied Nos. 11-14 to post 6-under 66.
Five-time champion (2011, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023) and World Golf Hall-of-Fame member Bernhard Langer is tied T34 after he opened with 1-under 71. He is one win shy of tying the PGA Tour Champions record for most wins at one event. Hale Irwin holds teh current record with six wins at the Turtle Bay Championship.
First-Round Leaderboard
| Player | To Par | Scores | |
| T1 | Darren Clarke | -7 | 34-31 – 65 |
| Michael Wright | -7 | 31-34 – 65 | |
| T3 | Justin Leonard | -6 | 31-35 – 66 |
| Scott Parel | -6 | 33-33 – 66 | |
| Ricardo Gonzalez | -6 | 33-33 – 66 | |
| Rob Labritz | -6 | 34-32 – 66 |
