Canada’s Stephen Ames, Sandy Lyle share PGA Tour Champions lead

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Stephen Ames watches his putt. ((Daniel Sangjib/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

NAPLES, Fla. — Playing partners Sandy Lyle and Calgary’s Stephen Ames matched the course record at 8-under 63 to share the first-round lead Friday in the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic.

Lyle topped a leaderboard for the first time in 155 career starts on the 50-and-over tour. The 61-year-old Scot won the 1985 British Open and 1988 Masters.

Ames had a hole-in-one with a 9-iron on the 141-yard 12th hole at The Classics at Lely Resort. He won the 2017 Mitsubishi Electric Classic for his lone senior title.

Jay Haas, at 65 years old, bettered his age for the first time on the tour with a 64.

Dudley Hart, Glen Day, Ken Tanigawa, Dan Olsenand Kent Jones shot 65.

Steve Stricker opened with a 67.

Bernhard Langer, the Oasis Championship winner last week near his home in Boca Raton, had a 68. The 61-year-old German star won the event in 2011, 2013 and 2016.

Hale Irwin, at 73 years old, bettered his age for the 40th time on the tour, shooting a 70. He won the tournament in 1997 and 2002.

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