Cochran & Perry atop Senior PGA Leaderboard


Russ Cochran fellow Kentuckian, Kenny Perry, carded 5-under 66s to take a share of the 36-hole lead in the Senior PGA Championship. The Champions Tour major began Thursday at Bellerive Golf Club in St. Louis.

Cochran, a 54-year-old who won the 2011 Senior British Open, carded seven birdies and two bogeys Friday. Perry, a 14-time winner on the PGA Tour and two-time winner on the Champions Tour, posted five birdies for his 66.

Japan's Kiyoshi Murota had a 1-under 70 and is alone in third at 137, while three back of Cochran are first-round co-leaders Jay Haas and Duffy Waldorf - who both managed 1-over 72s, and Loren Roberts (68).

Haas, who won the tournament in 2006 and '08, is a native of nearby Belleville, Ill., and has played Bellerive many times. After carding five birdies in the opening round, the 59-year-old had three birdies, two bogeys and a double on the par-3 16th hole Friday.

Waldorf, a Champions Tour rookie, also had an inconsistent second round with five birdies and six bogeys.

Australia's Peter Senior (71) is alone in seventh at 139, while several players share eighth at 140. In the latter group is Tom Watson - winner of the Senior PGA Championship in 2001 and in 2011, who carded a 71.

The cut was set at 4-over 146. Defending champion Roger Chapman made the cut right on the number after shooting rounds of 72 and 74.

Among those heading home are Mark Calcavecchia, who followed up his opening 71 with a 77, and 2005 Senior PGA champion Mike Reid, who shot rounds of 72 and 78.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pga.com/seniorpga/scoring/leaderboard.