Texas Children's Houston Open

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The Loop

Champions Tour rookie Rocco looks to end his first event in victory

February 09, 2013

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Rocco Mediate believes the Champions Tour ought to use a simple marketing slogan: These Guys Are Still Good.

Mediate, making his senior debut this week at the Allianz Championship, one of the game's best talkers, is walking the walk. He shot an 11-under 61 at the Old Course at Broken Sound Saturday to take a three-shot lead over Tom Pernice Jr. into the final round. A 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole provided the finishing touch, putting Mediate at 16-under 128 after 36 holes.

Pernice backed up his opening 66 with a 65 to keep himself within striking distance as Mediate, who turned 50 last December, attempts to become the 16th golfer to win his first event on the Champions Tour. Interestingly, Pernice was the most recent player to pull off the feat, at the 2009 SAS Championship.

Bernard Langer is in third place at 11 under, followed by David Frost at nine under.

Many eyes will be on Mediate Sunday. For his part, he is looking forward to being in contention again and trying to prove himself under pressure.

"You get to see what you have," said Mediate.

He certainly had plenty on a sunny Saturday afternoon.