O’Meara on quest for first Champions Tour win

NEWPORT BEACH – Mark O’Meara, who grew up in Mission Viejo, hopes to win his first Champions Tour event at the 2009 Toshiba Classic on a course he’s competed in since high school.

O’Meara’s four-under-par 67 (tied for fifth) today puts him two strokes behind defending champion and first-round leader Bernhard Langer (65).

“I struggled on the course, I struggled off the course (last year) and it wasn’t a lot of fun,” said O’Meara, whose son, Sean, plays for the UC Irvine men’s golf team. “But I’m getting my focus back. I’ve got some goals I’m trying to set and I would be the first guy to say I’m disappointed that I haven’t won an event (on the Champions Tour) yet.”

*O’Meara said it would mean a great deal for him if he were to win for the first time at Newport Beach Country Club. Because he is so close to where he grew up, he drew some support. His son watched him play Friday, as did his father-in-law and a few friends.

“It would mean a tremendous amount to me to have first win here in Orange County just from the standpoint I played OK my first year last year year I sturggled, didn’t play very well and had a lot stuff going on in my life,” he said. “Now I’m recommitted and focused to try to play better.”

*This is the fourth time in Langer’s Champions Tour career to have a first round-lead. He’s posted two 64s and a 65 in three opening rounds this year.

*Langer was one-under par after 11 holes, but finished with three birdies and an eagle in the next seven holes to take the lead away from Colbert, Bob Gilder and Eduardo Romero (tied for second at 66) on the last hole.

“Every tournament I came to this year ... I made sure I had everything in order with my game,” Langer said. “I hit just about every green (today) and I drove the ball very well. It’s just a matter of being patient and making your putts.”

*Colbert posted the most birdies today (eight total) and was five-under par after the first four holes. He also had three bogeys and a double bogey.

*Colbert added the Toshiba Classic is the first place he puts on his schedule because it’s a “golfer’s golf course.”

“Young, really good players, can play the tour players here because you got to make everything fit,” Colbert said. “There’s a lot of tee shots that are almost like second shots—you have to make it stop in the right place to give yourself the right shot at the green.”

*The second round of the Toshiba Classic starts Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The leader’s group of Langer, Colbert and Gilder tee off at 12:33 p.m.