Stricker, Jobe tied for Sanford International

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—Steve Stricker and Brandt Jobe topped the Sanford International leaderboard again Saturday after another cool and breezy day in the inaugural PGA Tour Champions event.

After matching Jerry Smith and David McKenzie with first-round 7-under 63s, Striker and Jobe each shot 67 to get to 10-under 130 at Minnehaha Country Club.

“It was a challenge out there today,” Stricker said. “It was gusty, the wind came out of the south, where we played yesterday it was out of the north, so it was a totally different golf course.”

Jobe made an 18-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th, and Stricker missed a 6-footer to leave them tied.

“It’s pretty straightforward off the tee and the greens are what make it difficult at times and you’ve just got to be in the right spot to have good birdie putts at it,” Stricker said. “If not, then you’ve got to play pretty defensive at times. … It’s a simple game plan, but try to stay out of trouble and keep trying to put pressure on everybody.”

Stricker won in Arizona and Mississippi in consecutive starts in May for his first senior victories. Next week in France, he will be one of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk’s assistants.

Jobe birdied four of the last five holes. He won last year in Iowa for his lone senior title

“I think we kind of got used to what the wind was,” Jobe said. “Of course, there’s some scoring holes on the back. The front played very difficult. It was just kind of try not to screw up for a while there.”

Smith was a stroke back after a 68.

Scott McCarron also had a 68 to get to 8 under. Woody Austin was 7 under after a 64.

McKenzie had a 77 to drop into a tie for 43rd at even par.

PGA Tour Champions Sanford International Scores

Saturday

At Minnehaha Country Club Sioux Falls, S.D. Purse: $1.8 million Yardage: 6,729; Par 70 Second Round

Brandt Jobe 63-67—130

Steve Stricker 63-67—130

Jerry Smith 63-68—131

Scott McCarron 64-68—132 Woody Austin 69-64—133

Wes Short, Jr. 66-67—133

Olin Browne 68-66—134

Tom Gillis 68-66—134

Kirk Triplett 66-68—134

Paul Goydos 64-70—134

Mike Goodes 65-69—134

Lee Janzen 64-70—134

Doug Garwood 67-68—135

Kevin Sutherland 65-70—135

Tim Petrovic 68-68—136

Scott Parel 66-70—136

Rocco Mediate 66-70—136

Duffy Waldorf 66-70—136

Bob Estes 65-71—136

Jesper Parnevik 68-69—137 Esteban Toledo 68-69—137

Ken Tanigawa 67-70—137 Stephen Ames 69-68—137

Tom Pernice Jr. 67-70—137

Steve Jones 67-70—137

David Frost 68-70—138

Jay Haas 68-70—138

Mark Walker 67-71—138

Colin Montgomerie 67-71—138 David Toms 67-71—138