Eighteenth on the money list, Thorpe used four birdies and an eagle to balance out a pair of bogeys en route to carding a field-leading 66.

“I played smart today,” said Thorpe, the 11-time Champions Tour winner, “and I got re-united with my caddy Tony.”

After parting with long-time caddie Christopher “Tony” Shepherd earlier in the season, Thorpe was caddied by his brother for a short time. The results weren?t what Thorpe was looking for. “I was making the kind of bogeys Tony wouldn?t allow.”

Thorpe is looking for continued success, and plenty more birdies this weekend.

“I?m the kind of player who will play well when the putters working.”

Nine-time tour winner Tom Kite also shot well on day one, carding himself an opening-round 69. Using birdies on four, 13 and 14, Kite played bogey-free golf to put himself in striking position this weekend.

Also playing well in the wet conditions was first-timer Chip Beck, who made a splash in his debut on the Champions Tour. Shooting a 69, Beck bagged three birdies on his way to being just three shots off the lead.

Two other Champions Tour contenders, Jay Haas and Tom Watson, lie waiting in the weeds after the first day. Both posted quiet, but solid days as they finished at 3-under and 2-under, respectively. Defending champ Bob Gilder was one of the last golfers on the course when play was called due to weather, keeping things interesting with a 2-under-par through 15 holes.

Palmer, making a rare appearance on tour, was followed by a large crowd all day. Only someone looking at the scoreboard would have known that this legend finished the day with a 17-over-89. Using his charm and master of the gallery, Palmer was always quick with a shoulder shrug, smile or one-liner after every putt.

With 36 golfers remaining on the course, play was suspended Friday afternoon due to rain. Play will bemade up before the start of round two Saturday morning with make-ups starting at 7:30 a.m. and round two beginning at 10:00 a.m.