Joey Sindelar single putts 11 greens on way

to 64 on American Seniors Tour lead

American Joey Sindelar, 50, shot an eight-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Tom Purtzer after the opening round of the AT&T Champions Classic at Santa Clarita, California.
Sindelar, without a win in 22 starts on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour after winning seven times on the US PGA Tour, has not had a bogey in the last 38 holes he has played.
Last Sunday, at Newport Beach, he shot a 63 to tie for second behind Eduardo Romero in the Toshiba Classic.]
“I’ve always enjoyed being a ball-striker. It’s what thrills me,” Sindelar said. “But that’s not what wins tournaments. It took me 25 years to learn that.”
Sindelar one-putted 11 greens and finished with 25 putts overall.
“I’ve been spending more time on my putting,” Sindelar said. “That work is showing. I’m not making everything, but it is definitely improving.”
After opening with six consecutive pars, Sindelar played the final 12 holes in eight under — eagling the par-5 ninth and adding six birdies.
Jay Haas and David Edwards opened with 67s on the Valencia Country Club course, and Bernhard Langer, Bruce Lietzke, Ben Crenshaw and John Cook shot 68s.
Romero had a 70, and defending champion Denis Watson shot a 75.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72. 6973yd
1. Joey Sindelar 64
2. Tom Purtzer 65
3. David Edwards 67
3. Jay Haas 67
5. Bruce Lietzke 68
5. Bernhard Langer 68
5. Ben Crenshaw 68
5. John Cook 68
9. Gary Hallberg 69
9. Tim Simpson 69
9. Wayne Levi 69
9. Fuzzy Zoeller 69
9. Fulton Allem 69
9. Hale Irwin 69
9. Andy Bean 69
9. Jeff Sluman 69
9. Robert L. Thompson 69
18. Don Pooley 70
18. Gene Jones 70
18. Mike Goodes 70
18. Bobby Wadkins 70
18. Eduardo Romero 702
18. Bob Gilder 70
18. Jerry Pate 70
18. Mark Wiebe 70
18. David Eger 70
18. Phil Blackmar 70
Selected scores
44. Ian Woosnam 73
44. Mark O'Meara
60. Sandy Lyle 75
76. Gary Player 80
77. Craig Stadler