Eaks owns lead at Rock Barn

Sep 13, 2008 - 12:01 PM CONOVER, North Carolina (Ticker) -- R.W. Eaks owns a three-stroke leading entering Saturday's second round at the Greater Hickory Classic.

Eaks, the defending champion, set the course record in the opening round, firing an 11-under-par 61 on Friday.

The 56-year-old had an eagle and nine birdies in a bogey-free round at Rock Barn, topping the previous course record by two strokes. Eaks actually owned a share of that record, first set by Joe Inman in 2003.

Eaks, who finished second here in 2006 after losing a playoff to Andy Bean, is three shots clear of second-place Tom Jenkins.

After a birdie at the first, Eaks eagled the fourth and followed that up with a run of four straight birdies. The winner of the 3M Championship in July, Eaks started the back nine with a birdie at No. 10 and had three consecutive birdies starting at No. 13.

The leader in the Charles Schwab Cup, Jay Haas had a solid start, notching eight birdies en route to a 4-under 68 to sit in a tie with nine other golfers in 12th.

Haas finished in a tie for second here last year, two strokes behind Eaks.

Looking for his third victory of the season, Fred Funk is alone in third following a 65. A shot back is a group of five golfers that includes Tom Kite and Bruce Vaughan.

First prize is $255,000.