Zach Johnson led off with an eagle and sank a birdie on his final hole Saturday to finish a stroke ahead of the field following two rounds of play at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla.
Overall, Johnson had four birdies and an eagle in going bogey-free to secure the lead at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club.
The 50-year-old Johnson, who is seeking his first win of any kind since 2015, fired a 6-under-par 66 to get to 8 under for the tournament.
“My game was really quite solid today,” Johnson said. “There was probably a hole, hole and a half today where I had to had some nice saves. But for the most part, it was really solid.”
A 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, Johnson is looking for his first victory at his very first event on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
“The golf is still competitive. It’s still hard. It’s still all you want, and the crowds are great,” Johnson said. “The buildout is great. James Hardie is an amazing sponsor. Excited that it’s my first.”
Tied for second at 7 under are George McNeill and Australia’s Steve Allan, who both scored 3-under 69s.
“It’s nice to be playing well. It’s nice to be in with a chance,” Allan said. “Just got to shake it off and go again tomorrow.”
Steve Flesch is alone in fourth at two back of the leader after his 4-under 68.
Two more Americans, Stewart Cink (72) and Boo Weekley (69), are tied for fifth at 5 under.
Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez, who opened the tourney with a first-round lead, dropped into a tie for eight after his 3-over 75.
