CONOVER, North Carolina (AP) Bernhard Langer is looking for every opportunity to make up ground on Kenny Perry in the Champions Tour's season point standings.
If Langer has a few more rounds like he had Friday, there's a good chance he'll be in the running for the $1 million annuity that goes to the season champion.
The two-time Masters champion birdied the final hole Friday for a 6-under 64 and a share of the first-round lead with Anders Forsbrand and Dick Mast in the Greater Hickory Classic. Perry opened with a 68.
"Every little bit helps," said Langer, who trails Kenny Perry by 609 points in the Charles Schwab Cup standings with three events remaining.
"I was leading the Schwab Cup last year, and Tom Lehman wound up winning. There are a lot of points available, so I'm trying to close the gap so that maybe I can win or have a good finish in the last tournament and maybe win the overall championship."