ESPN Golf

HOOVER, Ala. -- Scott Simpson got off to a fast start in his bid for his first Champions Tour victory, shooting a 5-under 67 on Friday for a share of the lead with Tom McKnight, Keith Fergus and Mark McNulty in the Regions Charity Classic.

The tournament, formerly the Bruno's Memorial Classic, is being held for the first time at Ross Bridge, the 7,409-yard Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail course that is one of the longest layouts ever on the Champions Tour.

"It's no chip-and-putt golf course," said Simpson, the 1987 U.S. Open champion who is in his first full season on the 50-and-over tour. "I hit a lot of 5-irons and 6-irons today because it's just a big course. It gives you plenty of room off the tee, but you have to be very precise with your iron shots into those huge greens. I think the field will stay bunched up unless somebody gets a hot putter."

Hale Irwin, the tour's career victory leader, birdied the final three holes for a 68, leaving him a stroke back along with former major-league pitcher Rick Rhoden, Wayne Levi and Brad Bryant.

"I'm still trying to learn the golf course," Irwin said. "Many of the players are in the same boat I am. We haven't played it enough to tell you exactly how it will play tomorrow or the next day. It's one of the longer ones we'll ever play. Even after the rain, it played very nicely."

Dick Mast, who got into the field via Monday qualifying, had sole possession of the lead with two holes to play late in the day but finished with a bogey and a double bogey to drop back to 69 with Bobby Wadkins and Des Smyth. Loren Roberts, a three-time winner this year and the tour's leading money winner, opened with a 70.

The course was softened by overnight rain and occasional showers through the round. Because of the wet conditions, the players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls in the fairways.

"The greens were holding and you were still getting a little run in the fairway," Fergus said. "The course drained really well. If conditions stay like this, I think you'll see some good scores."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press