Ben Crane carded eight birdies during Friday’s opening round to grab the lead at the Insperity Invitational at The Woodlands Country Club in Texas.
The veteran golfer’s 7-under-par 65 put him one stroke ahead of a group including Shane Bertsch, Boo Weekley, Richard Green of Australia, and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.
Sitting two shots behind Crane at 5-under 67 were New Zealand’s Steven Alker, South Africa’s Ernie Els, Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini, and South Korean players Charlie Wi and Y.E. Yang.
The five-time PGA Tour winner celebrated his 50th birthday in March and continues his quest for a maiden Champions Tour victory. Crane came close with a second-place finish at last month’s Senior PGA Championship.
Crane’s hot start included six birdies over his opening 10 holes before his round slowed down. Following his only dropped shot at the par-3 14th hole, where his tee shot missed the green, Crane bounced back with birdies on the following two holes, capping it off with a long putt at the par-3 16th.
Bertsch, 56, captured his lone Champions Tour title in 2020 and hopes to return to victory lane. The golfer entered this week’s tournament as the second alternate.
“I’ve been in this position this year, unfortunately, just because of, you know, I’m not the greatest player last year, so I’ve been hanging around as first alternate a couple weeks,” Bertsch said. “… You could have a chance to get in and be out all of a sudden if you’re not around (at the course). So it’s kind of nerve-wracking. But it was nice to get in.”
Starting on the back nine, Bertsch posted four birdies against one bogey before reaching the green in two shots on the par-5 first hole for an eagle that boosted his position. He closed with another birdie at the par-5 sixth hole.
Defending champion Stewart Cink, who has won the season’s first two major championships, posted an opening-round 4-under 68.
