Stricker in three-way tie for the lead in return to Champions

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Steve Stricker wanted to stay in bed Saturday morning and some of the players at the Insperity Invitational probably wish he did. Stricker took advantage of calm conditions with a 7-under 65 for a three-way share of the lead in his return to the PGA Tour Champions.

Stricker, who lost 25 pounds during a health scare that hospitalized him late last year, is competing for the first time in six months and already has a chance to win.

He was tied with Steve Alker (65) and hard-charging Brandt Jobe (64), who ran off five straight birdies on the back nine and then closed with another birdie when his 5-iron caromed off the wood framing the lake on the par-4 18th at The Woodlands.

They were at 12-under 132. Ken Duke was the next closed to them at 8-under 136.

Stricker had said he is still 10 pounds lighter than when he first started feeling ill, about a month after the U.S. captain led his team to a rout in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. He also was concerned with endurance having only played cart golf when getting ready.

It just hasn't looked that way on the golf course.

He said he told wife Nicki, who is caddying for him, that maybe he shouldn't play next week if this is how he was going to feel — tied for the lead after one round and still feeling lethargic instead of excited about contending. That feeling went away.

“It's just a progression, I think, and just keep plugging along,” Stricker said. “Feel a little out of sorts when I'm up around the lead. It's been awhile, but it's good. It's what I come out here for, and excited to be in this position.”

For Jobe, it was a mild surprise.

He was playing solidly and then surged into contention with five straight birdies, most of them in the 10-foot