Charles Schwab Cup Championship

First-round Schwab leader Nielson joins Roberts and Morgan at 6 under par

By: Bruce Meadows - Press Democrat

SONOMA- Lonnie Nielson had never led after a single round in any of his 53 professional tournaments until Thursday at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the Sonoma GC.

He made it two in a row Friday but it took a 51-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to move into a three-way tie for first with Gil Morgan. They are at 6 under par.

Although it rained a little Friday, it was in the form of showers and didn't have a siggnificant impact on play.

Six other players - Jerry Pate, Criag Stadler, Bruce Fleischer, Tom Watson, Des Smyth and Jay Haas - start today's round at 5 under while points and money leader Dana Quigley and Tom Kite are at 4 under after disappointing finishes Friday.

Kite, who led the first three rounds last year only to flounder, was in the thick of things at 6 under Friday until he was forced to take a drop following a poor shot and ended upw ith a double bogey 6 on the 18tht o finish at 4 under. He still had a good round of 4 under 68 after starting even.