David Frost leads Toshiba Classic

(AP) David Frost shot an 8-under 63 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Fred Couples after the first round of the Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic.

Frost had eight birdies in his bogey-free round, four on the first five holes on the back nine and another on the par-5 closing hole. Three of his approach shots stopped within a foot of the hole for tap-in birdies.

Couples, the 2010 winner at Newport Beach Country Club, had seven birdies and a bogey. He's playing his second senior event and third overall tournament of the year after cutting his schedule to make sure he's healthy for the Masters. He made six putts from 15 feet or longer, including a 50-footer for birdie on No. 7.

Jim Gallagher Jr. opened with a 66. He qualified for the event under the Career Victory Exemption List, but that status runs out after this event. He has a sponsor exemption next week in his home-state event in Mississippi.

Bernhard Langer topped the group at 67.

Frost has three victories on the 50-and-over tour. In three events this year, the South African has finished no worse than a tie for ninth and lost in a playoff to John Cook at the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.