Dawson Up by One at 3M Championship; Langer One Back


Marco Dawson got off to a rousing start in the 3M Championship. The $1.75 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event started Friday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn.

After carding seven birdies and an eagle, Dawson, a rookie on the over-50 circuit, got to the clubhouse with a 9-under 63 for a one-stroke lead over Rocco Mediate, Jeff Maggert, Vijay Singh and Bernhard Langer.

Langer, coming off his fourth victory - and second major - of the year in last week's Senior Open Championship, opened with six birdies and an eagle at a tournament that often yields the lowest scores of the year on the Champions Tour.

Langer 13-stroke victory at Royal Porthcawl in Wales was the largest winning margin in the history of senior major championship golf.

Two strokes behind Dawson is 2013 Charles Schwab Cup champion Kenny Perry, while three behind are Gary Hallberg, Mike Goodes, Gene Sauers, Bobby Wadkins and Doug Garwood.

Those tied for 12th after 67s are Paul Goydos, Scott Verplank, Jeff Sluman and Kirk Triplett.

Defending 3M champion Tom Pernice Jr. opened with a 69.

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