Toledo Sets Pace on Champions Tour


Esteban Toledo carded a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead in the Greater Gwinnett Championship. The inaugural, $1.8 million Champions Tour event began Friday at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga.

Toledo, a 50-year-old from Mexicali, Mexico, and a rookie on the senior circuit, opened with a 68 and now stands at 6-under 138, one stroke ahead of World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernhard Langer (66), two-time senior major champion Roger Chapman (68), Tom Pernice Jr. (68) and Mark Calcavecchia (71).

Because the start of the first round was delayed four hours due to heavy rains, only 24 entrants finished play Friday. Once the first round was completed Saturday morning, Michael Allen held a one-shot lead with a 5-under 67 off a seven-birdie, two-bogey effort.

Allen, who won the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic last month, carded a 1-over 73 in the afternoon to drop into a tie for sixth at 140 with Gene Sauers (68).

Sharing eighth at 141 is another Champions Tour rookie, Andrew Magee (71), and Bart Bryant (73).

Gary Hallberg (70), Jeff Sluman (66), Tom Lehman (71), Chien Soon Lu (71), Fred Funk (73) and Duffy Waldorf (73) are tied for 10th at 142.

Olin Brown withdrew Friday after completing only 15 holes. The 2011 U.S. Senior Open champion was 5-over at the time before calling it quits due to a back injury. Gene Jones opened with a 73, but was disqualified after missing his tee time for the second round.

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