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The trio holds a one-stroke lead over Matt
Gogel and David Toms.
Alker is the event's defending champion and set the early pace
with eight birdies and two bogeys. He started on the back nine
at The Woodlands Country Club and touched 7 under with a birdie
at his third-to-last hole, but a bogey at the par-3 eighth
brought Alker back down to 6 under.
"Yeah, there's always a little bit of added pressure there, kind
of in the back," Alker said. "You're trying not to try any
harder, but it's just there. As I said, I got a nice start. Made
a couple of birdies the first two holes and settled me down, so
it was pleasing, and I didn't really think about it. I just went
out there and played golf today."
Leonard, a 50-year-old Texas native, is a PGA Tour Champions
rookie seeking his first win on the circuit. He also started on
the back and birdied four of his six holes, eventually winding
up with seven birdies and a single bogey.
"There's going to be some good scores," Leonard said. "The
greens are -- they're in good shape. They're not firm by any
stretch. Tomorrow we're going to have a different wind and
cooler temperatures, so now try and get ready and game plan for
that."
Montgomerie took a solo lead late in the day when he birdied the
par-3 16th and par-4 17th to climb to 7 under. A bogey at the
par-4 18th dragged him back into the tie for first.
A World Golf Hall of Famer, Montgomerie is seeking his first win
on the tour since 2019.
Steve Stricker, Wes Short Jr. and South African Ernie Els shot
4-under 68 to form a tie for sixth. Bernhard Langer of Germany,
one title away from breaking the tour's all-time career wins
record, and Irishman Padraig Harrington opened with rounds of
1-under 71.
--Field Level Media
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