Brad FaxonEric S. Swist/The Associated Press
THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Brad Faxon moved into position for his first Champions Tour title, shooting a 7-under 65 in windy conditions Saturday to take a one-stroke lead in the Insperity Championship.
Faxon, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour who turned 50 on Aug. 1, had a bogey-free round to reach 10-under 134 at The Woodlands Country Club. Tommy Armour III, celebrating his 52nd birthday, was second after a 67. He also is winless on the 50-and-over tour.
Eduardo Romero (68) was two strokes back. Jay Haas (68), Olin Browne (68) and Schwab Cup points leader Tom Lehman (70) were 7 under, and defending champion Fred Couples was 4 under after a 72.
Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Jim Rutledge of Victoria are both 11 shots back after shooting 68 and 70, respectively.
Faxon felt good after his third birdie to start the round.
"Hitting a 20-footer; that's a good start," Faxon said. "I just tried to stay patient and I did a nice job today, picking out a target and making a quality shot."
Faxon didn't get the lead until No. 17. He hit a 7-iron to 6 feet to set up at birdie.
"That was a big swing there, Eduardo had the lead," Faxon said. "I couldn't have asked for a better place to putt."
John Cook, a three-time winner this year, started the day three shots behind first day leader Michael Allen. Cook moved to 10 under for the tournament with a birdie on No. 7, but followed that with a double bogey on the next hole. He also double bogeyed No. 17 and finished at 4 under after a 74.
Allen had a triple bogey on the 158-yard third hole that is bordered by water on the approach. Allen had two other bogeys and a double bogey for a second-round 79.
Couples eagled the par-5 first hole for the second straight day.
Faxon reached 9 under with his birdie on No. 14.
"That was probably my best shot of the day, a 4-iron 185 yards into the wind," he said.
Faxon had an opening 69 and felt good beginning the second round.
"I played a pretty nice round yesterday, maybe a few bogeys," Faxon said. "Three under par was a pretty good score. I just did a good job of staying calm, in the moment, trying to enjoy myself. I haven't done that in a while.
"I can go out and shoot 90 tomorrow but my head is in the right place that I can accept stuff a lot better than I have. I'm in such a better place than I have been."