Bae in Charge at Frys.com Open


Propelled by an eagle on the par-4 17th, Sang Moon Bae fired a 7-under 65 to take a four-stroke lead in the Frys.com Open. The $6 million event - the PGA Tour's 2014-15 season opener - began Thursday at Silverado Country Club's North Course in Napa, Calif.

The 28-year-old Bae, winner of last year's Byron Nelson Championship, got off to a rousing start. After a par on the first, the South Korean reeled off five straight birdies before a bogey on the par-3 seventh to make the turn in 4-under 32.

On the inward half, he bogeyed the 13th and tacked on two birdies, including one on the par-5 last, along with the eagle, to reach 16-under 200, four shots ahead of rookie Zachary Blair, who had a 69.

Bae's eagle came when he drove the 17th green and made a 6-foot putt.

Five behind are Matt Kuchar, who carded a 66 that was highlighted by a 5-under 31 on the back nine, Scott Langley (69), Brooks Koepka (67) and 36-hole leader Martin Laird of Scotland. The 31-year-old Laird had a 71.

Trailing Bae by six shots are 45-year-old South African Retief Goosen (66), Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (69), Sweden's David Lingmerth (70) and Hunter Mahan (68).

Defending champion Jimmy Walker, who opened with a 75 but rebounded with a 66, posted a 73 Saturday to drop into a tie for 54th at 214.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.