Cook Steams to Lead in First Tee Open at Pebble Beach


John Cook carded a 4-under 68 to take the 36-hole lead in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. The $1.9 million, 54-hole tournament teed off Friday.

The Champions Tour event is being held on both the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links and the par-71 Poppy Hills Golf Course on California's Monterey Peninsula. Pebble Beach will hold the final round Sunday.

Cook's score came at Pebble Beach, giving the 56-year-old a two-round total of 8-under 135, a shot ahead of Skip Kendall (69 at Pebble Beach) and Tom Byrum (68 Poppy Hills).

One stroke further down the leaderboard is Marco Dawson (68 at Poppy), while tied for fifth at 5-under are Fred Funk, Lee Janzen, Jeff Hart, Jay Haas, Davis Love III and Paul Goydos.

First-round pacesetter Blaine McCallister posted a 73 at Pebble Beach to drop into a tie for 11th at 4-under with Olin Browne, Bob Gilder, Jose Coceres and Billy Andrade.

Defending champion Kirk Triplett started out with a 2-under 69 at Poppy Hills and then had a 72 at Pebble Beach. The 52-year-old from Washington State is tied for 22nd at 2-under 141 heading into Sunday's final round.

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