Russ Cochran had two eagles and six birdies in a career-best 10-under 62 on Friday to take the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
The 52-year-old left-hander, a two-time winner last season, was near-perfect in his bogeyfree round on a defenseless day at Hualalai. He had a twostroke lead over defending champion Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw.
With son Ryan on the bag, Cochran missed just one green in regulation. After making the turn in 32, Cochran had two eagles and two birdies in the next six holes to shoot atop the leaderboard.
On the 566-yard 11th, Cochran hit a 4-iron to 5 feet for eagle. He took the outright lead at 9 under four holes later, sinking a 20-foot eagle putt after a second hybrid approach.
Cochran's 6-foot birdie putt on No. 15 gave him a twostroke lead over the Hall of Fame duo Watson and Crenshaw, who were already in the clubhouse. Cochran had birdie putts on the last three holes, but couldn't add to his lead.