Bo Van Pelt tied the course record with a 9-under-par 62 on Friday to lead by two shots after the first round of the Cologuard Classic at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Ariz.
Starting on the back nine, Van Pelt had already rolled in five birdies when he eagled the par-5 third hole. He followed that with his lone bogey of the day before rebounding to close with a trio of birdies to match the 62 shot by Stewart Cink in the first round two years ago.
Retief Goosen and Thongchai Jaidee are two shots back at 7 under, followed by a trio of golfers at 6 under that includes all-time Champions Tour victory leader Bernhard Langer, Darren Clarke and Tommy Gainey.
Cink, who leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings, is tied for 11th at 4 under along with 2022 Cologuard champ Miguel Angel Jimenez and six others. Zach Johnson is at 3 under as he tries to join Phil Mickelson as the only players in history to win their first two events on the Champions Tour.
Defending champion Steven Alker is nine shots off Van Pelt’s pace after struggling to an even-par 71 on Friday that included five bogeys that offset five birdies. No player has yet to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic.
This is the third time La Paloma has played host to the event, which uses a composite route that includes holes from all three of the property’s courses.
