Sutton among leaders at Gulf Coast Classic
By DAVID BRANDT
SAUCIER, Miss. (AP) Hal Sutton, Steve Elkington, Corey Pavin and Roger Chapman shot 3-under 69 in light rain Friday to share the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.
The 54-year-old Sutton was the most surprising player among the leaders at Fallen Oak. Winless since the PGA Tour's 2001 Houston Open, he had his left hip replaced in October.
Sutton made five birdies and salvaged bogey on the par-4 18th with a 15-foot putt. Pavin made three straight birdies on Nos. 6-8 to vault into a tie for the lead.
Tough scoring conditions made for a crowded leaderboard, with six players a stroke back. Defending champion Fred Couples opened with a 72.
Updated March 22, 2013
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