KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii – Rocco Mediate took the first-round lead Friday in the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
Mediate shot a 9-under 63 at Hualalai Golf Course, playing the first seven holes in 6-under with four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh. He added birdies on Nos. 10, 14 and 18 to finish a stroke ahead of 2012 winner Dan Forsman.
Mediate won twice last year in his first season on the 50-and-over tour after winning six times on the PGA Tour.
Forsman had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey.
Fred Couples, Fred Funk, Tom Pernice Jr. and Steve Elkington shot 65. Couples played the four par-5 holes in 6-under, eagling Nos. 4 and 7 and birdieing Nos. 10 and 14.
The 41-player field features major champions from the last five years, other tournament winners in the last two seasons and sponsor invitees.
Defending champion John Cook had a 69.
Kenny Perry opened with a 72. He was the player of the year last season, winning three times and taking the Charles Schwab Cup points title.