BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Stewart Cink shot the par-5 18th for a 7-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Alex Cejka on Thursday at the Regions Tradition, the second major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions.
Cink won the Senior PGA Championship two weeks ago in Florida with his third victory of the year on the 50-and-over tour. He had eight birdies and a bogey Thursday at Greystone Golf & Country Club.
“I’m happy with how boring it was today,” said Cink. “Does that make sense? It wasn’t like a day where you’re like going in and hitting putts, amazing things happening all over the place.”
Cejka, who won in 2021, had seven birdies in a bogey-free round.
“There are certain courses, which are equal to the eyes of the players,” said Cejka. “I was playing well here before and today I played hard. I didn’t make any stupid mistakes.”
Steven Alker was a stroke back with Charlie Wi and Scott Hend.
Padraig Harrington was 67 with Colin Montgomerie, Dicky Pride and Thongchai Jaidee. Retief Goosen, who won last week’s Mitsubishi Electric Classic in Georgia, opened with a 68.
Defending champion Ángel Cabrera had a 72.
