Mediate Starts Out Hot in Calgary


Rocco Mediate fired an 8-under 63 to rise to the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes of the inaugural Shaw Charity Classic. The $2 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event began Friday at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alberta.

Mediate, a rookie on the Champions Tour, carded only one birdie on the par-35 front nine. But the 50-year-old got downright toasty on the back side with three birdies and eagles on both the par-5s, the 15th and 18th holes, for a 7-under 29.

One stroke back are Americans Bart Bryant, Jeff Sluman and Bobby Clampett, along with local favorite Rod Spittle, a native of Ontario.

Two shots behind Mediate are fellow Americans Michael Allen, Scott Hoch and Craig Stadler, along with Scotland's Sandy Lyle and South African David Frost.

Three back are Yanks Joel Edwards, Mark Brooks, Kirk Triplett, Jay Don Blake and Tom Byrum.

The winner in last week's Boeing Classic east of Seattle, John Riegger, opened with a 69. Fred Couples, who finished four strokes behind Riegger on Sunday, also shot 69.

For full scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.