Golf Roundup : Sutton Shoots 62, Leads at Tucson

Hal Sutton shot the best round of his career, a 10-under-par 62, and took a one-stroke lead Friday in the second round of the $600,000 Tucson Open golf tournament.

“Today was the best I’ve ever played,” Sutton said. “It could have been better. It could have been a lot better. Easily, it could have been in the 50’s.”

Sutton, whose 36-hole total was 131, had eight birdies, an eagle and either hit the hole or left the ball on the lip on six other putts.

Had half of those dropped, he could have matched the PGA Tour single-round scoring record of 59.

“The weather was perfect,” Sutton said. “There was little or no wind. The greens were soft. It was very conducive to shooting low numbers. And that’s what a lot of the guys did.”

Golf’s touring pros took advantage of ideal conditions to master the new, 7,010-yard TPC course at Star Pass.

Payne Stewart and Paul Azinger both shot 63s, with Stewart making seven consecutive birdies, one short of the all-time record.

Bill Sander, who hasn’t finished higher than fourth in a 10-year tour career, had a 64 and was second at 132.

Stewart, Fuzzy Zoeller and first-round leader Mike Reid were at 133. Zoeller had a 66 that included a 30 on the back nine, despite a painful, chronic back problem. Reid shot a 69.

Azinger, Chip Beck and Fred Couples were next at 134. Couples shot a 66 and Beck a 65.

Bob Charles shot a five-under-par 67 at the Desert Inn Country Club to take the first-round lead in the $250,000 Las Vegas Senior tournament.

Charles, looking for his fourth PGA Seniors Tour victory of the year, birdied all four of the par-5 holes and added another birdie on the par-4 sixth hole for a one-stroke lead over Al Geiberger.

Geiberger, who has won twice in the last three weeks, had an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in his round of 68.

Arnold Palmer, Bobby Nichols and Orville Moody were at 69.

Palmer eagled both the par-5 first hole and the par-5 10th hole to pick up four shots. Nichols struggled on the front side but had four birdies.

Gary Player, Ken Still, Bob Brue and Rafe Botts were three shots off the pace after posting 70s.

Defending champion Bruce Crampton shot an even-par 72.

The 54-hole tournament concludes Sunday, with the winner earning $37,500.