Kentuckian sits atop SAS Championship leaderboard

Posted: Fri 4:53 PM, Oct 05, 2012

CARY, N.C. (AP) - Russ Cochran topped the SAS Championship leaderboard Friday in his return from a back injury, hitting all hit all 18 greens in regulation and shooting a 6-under 66.

Cochran, the 2010 tournament winner, is making his first start since the U.S. Senior Open in July.

Steve Pate, Andrew Magee, Fred Funk and Jay Don Blake were a stroke back. Magee extended his streak without a three-putt to 190 holes, the third-longest run on the Champions Tour this year.

Defending champion Kenny Perry and Bernard Langer topped a group at 68.

Neal Lancaster, from Smithfield, shot a 72 in his debut on the 50-and-over tour. He won the 1994 Byron Nelson Classic for his lone PGA Tour title.

Cowgill designated for assignment