Zach Johnson Leads First Round at Portugal Invitational

Zach Johnson took the first-round lead at the Portugal Invitational with an 8-under-par 64, followed closely by Rory Sabbatini.

<p>Zach Johnson, a rookie on the PGA Tour Champions, achieved an impressive 8-under-par 64 on Friday, securing the first-round lead at the Portugal Invitational held in Algarve.</p><p>Johnson recorded nine birdies and one bogey at The Els Club Vilamoura, placing him one shot ahead of Slovakia's Rory Sabbatini, who completed a bogey-free round with seven birdies. Tied for third at 6-under-par are Alex Cejka, Charlie Wi, Padraig Harrington, and Mikael Lundberg, while six golfers are tied for seventh, one shot behind.</p><p>At 50 years old, Johnson has already claimed three victories this season on the senior tour, including two of his last three tournaments. He began his round with birdies on the first three holes, encountered a bogey at the 13th, but regained momentum with a birdie on the 18th. This tournament marks the inaugural PGA Tour Champions event in Portugal, with a notable field that includes several World Golf Hall of Famers.</p>