Calcavecchia leads Boeing Classic

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Defending champion Mark Calcavecchia eagled the par-5 eighth hole and finished with a 7-under 65 on Friday to take the first-round lead in the Boeing Classic.

Calcavecchia, a playoff winner over Russ Cochran last year at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge for his first Champions Tour title, made a 20-foot putt on No. 8 after his 4-iron approach sailed over the flag.

Calcavecchia won the Montreal Championship in June for his second victory on the 50-and-over tour.

Steve Pate, Jeff Sluman, Joe Don Blake, Eduardo Romero and Kirk Triplett were tied for second at 68.

Fred Couples withdrew because of back problems on the first hole. The Seattle player won the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in March and Senior British Open last month.

“I didn’t feel very good warming up,” Couples said. “I hit the tee shot at No. 1 and then my lower back really locked up when I walked down to my second shot.

“It was like a bomb went off in my lower back. I think it’s time to rest. I’m sad I won’t be able to play in this year’s event. For this to happen in Seattle, this is a rough one.”

PGA Tour winners Duffy Waldorf and Gene Sauers made their debuts on the Champions Tour. Sauers opened with a 71, and Waldorf shot 75.