Langer shares lead at Mitsubishi Electric Championship

Published 7:42 pm Friday, January 23, 2009

KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii — Bernhard Langer had seven birdies on the back nine on his way to an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with Brad Bryant in the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.

Langer, the tour’s player and rookie of the year, was 1 over through six holes, then birdied nine of his last 12 holes in the first round.

Both Langer and Bryant each had a bogey and nine birdies in their rounds.

Hale Irwin, who turns 64 in June and is the second oldest player in the winners-only field, opened with a 65 to match Jeff Sluman and Jay Haas. R.W. Eaks, who carded a rare double eagle, was at 66, along with Tom Kite.