Distracted, Malnati leading at Houston Open

H U M B LE ,T EXAS» Expectant father Peter Malnati started strong and shot 7-under 65 Friday to lead at the Houston Open after morning rain and lightning prevented the second round from being completed.

First-round co-leader Austin Cook, who opened with an 8-under 64, briefly got to 11-under before dropping all the way to 6-under through 15 holes before play was suspended due to darkness at 7 p.m. Talor Gooch, who started the day tied with Cook, improved to 9-under through 14 holes and is a shot behind Malnati’s lead.

The 32-year-old Malnati has been playing professionally since 2009 and has one career PGA Tour title. He is expecting the birth of his first child in two weeks and said it’s been “a distraction because my head’s back home.”

“But this week I told myself, ‘Dude, this is your last tournament before you become a dad. Do something with it,’” he said.

Malnati, who managed a firstround 69 after missing the cut in his last two tournaments, teed off early in what he called “summertime” conditions, humid and dead calm before bad weather suspended play for over two hours. He took advantage with three birdies and an eagle.

A couple of underwhelming wedge shots may have cost him back-nine birdies.

“I got to play the first five holes in perfect conditions and really took advantage of it,” he said. “I then came back out and was able to keep the momentum going. To make no bogeys in the conditions we played is really more than I could have ever hoped for. I played the last 13 holes wishing I had hand-warmers. The wind was certainly a two or three club wind.”

Barron leads after opening round of Champions Tour.

N . C . » Doug Barron lost his great start with three bogeys over his last four holes and had to settle for a 6-under 66, giving him a oneshot lead over Woody Austin after the opening round Friday in the SAS Championship.

This is the last regular-season event on the PGA Tour Champions before the top 72 players advance to the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs.