Michael Allen matched the Champions Tour record with a 12-under 60 on Friday in the Allianz Championship, finishing the first round with an eagle and 10 birdies.
The 55-year-old Allen became the ninth player in the history of the 50-and-over tour to shoot 60 and the first to accomplish the feat on a par-72 course.
Allen birdied two of his final three holes in calm conditions on The Old Course at Broken Sound.
He said his hopes of becoming the first player to shoot a 59 realistically ended when he failed to birdie the par-5 sixth hole — his 15th of the day. He also missed a makeable birdie putt on his eighth hole.
“The story of my career — almost,” said Allen, winless in 369 starts on the PGA Tour.
He has five Champions Tour victories, winning the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic and Greater Hickory Classic last year.
Scott Dunlap was second at 63, and Tom Lehman, Chien Soon-lu and Wes Short Jr shot 65. Short is attempting to become the 17th player to win in his Champions Tour debut.
Defending champion Rocco Mediate shot a 69. He won last year in his first Champions Tour start.
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