PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Joe Durant is trying desperately to hold onto his old job on the PGA Tour. If it doesnt work out, his new gig is looking more promising all the time. The Champions Tour rookie shot a 6-under 64 on Thursday in the first round of the Senior Players Championship, making seven birdies against one bogey to join David Frost and Doug Garwood atop the leaderboard at defenceless Fox Chapel. Bernhard Langer, Corey Pavin, Larry Mize, Steve Pate, Olin Browne, Bart Bryant, Peter Fowler and Wes Short Jr. shot 65. Colin Montgomerie, the Senior PGA winner last month, opened with a 5-under 30 on the front nine before fading to a 69. The 50-year-old Durant, a four-time winner on the main tour, is trying to split time between both circuits this summer. The pressure to earn enough money while making limited PGA Tour starts has been draining. In a way, the 50-and-over tour is allowing him to recharge. "Im trying so hard to make magic happen in one week (on the PGA Tour) and its just not working out very well," Durant said. Durant tied for 31st last week in Connecticut in the PGA Tours Travelers Championship, a finish he believes should have been higher had he not slogged through the second and third rounds. "It easily could have been a top-10 week if I had just managed my game a little better Friday and Saturday," Durant said. There were no such issues Thursday. Durant holed out from the greenside bunker on the par-3 third, kick-starting his round. He ended it with a sliding left-to-right birdie putt on the par-5 18th for his 64, matching his best round since joining the Champions Tour after turning 50 in April. "It all comes down to making putts," Durant said. "If you make putts, the game is real easy. If youre burning edges, its not that easy." Frost and Garwood quickly joined Durant atop the leaderboard. Frustrated after a middling 39th-place finish at the Encompass Championship last week in Illinois, Frost ditched the shafts on his irons for the first time in four years, trading them in for something that offered a little more forgiveness. The move paid off with a near flawless round in which he missed only one fairway and three greens. "I almost want to kick myself for not (switching shafts) earlier," Frost said. Garwood, a two-time All-American during his college career at Fresno State, has finally found a home on the Champions Tour after spending most of his adult life on pro golfs fringe. He never played in a PGA Tour event and sold insurance among other things before trying to give the 50-and-over circuit a shot last spring. After some initial struggles, it is paying off handsomely. Garwood lost a playoff four weeks ago in the Principal Charity Classic and backed it up with a runner-up finish last weekend. Garwoods round included three straight birdies on Nos. 12-14, including a 35-footer on the par-4 14th. His birdie attempt on the 18th stopped one roll short of giving him the lead. Being near the lead is becoming familiar territory for Garwood, though he has done his best to downplay his steady rise. "Ive always believed the lower the expectation, the easier it is to meet," he said, laughing. "Theres enough pressure just being out there with all the hoopla. So I just go out and try to shoot my best ... trying to shoot 64, it just kind of happens." Defending champion Kenny Perry, looking for his fourth major title in the last year, failed to take advantage of the prime scoring conditions. Playing his eighth tournament in nine weeks, Perry shot an even-par 70. Perrys score was actually one better than the 71 he posted in the opening round last year. Perry responded last June by shooting a combined 20 under over the final 54 holes to edge Fred Couples and Duffy Waldorf for the first major pro title of his lengthy career. The 53-year-old Kentuckian, the Tradition winner last month in the first senior major of the year, doubted Fox Chapel would be as generous this time around, but with wide open fairways and damp greens, it wasnt a fair fight. More than half the 81 players finished at even par or better. "Its going to take a lot of birdies this week with the conditions as they are right now," Durant said. "Youve just got to keep the hammer down." Cheap Vans Shoes Wholesale . Kamloops, B.C., the host city of this years Tim Hortons Brier, is where he won his first Canadian mens curling crown in 1996. Vans Outlet Uk Online .com) - The St. http://www.discountvansuk.com/. - The Seattle Seahawks have signed nine players to 2014 future contracts, including quarterback B. Wholesale Vans Shoes Uk .com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak. Discount Vans Shoes Uk . -- Nelson Cruz has only two hits in 15 at-bats against the Kansas City Royals this season.The worlds top six were among a whole host of players to face the media at Augusta on Tuesday ahead of the opening major of the year. Heres a round-up of the best pre-Masters quotes. Jason DayThe Australian admits to feeling comfortable as the words No 1 golfer, but does not accept he is the favourite this week.There are so many players that can win around here, Day told reporters. Theres not just one heavy favourite this week, which is fantastic. I think its good for the game of golf and I think its good for this tournament, as well. Day comes in to this week as world No 1 Jordan SpiethThe defending champion believes his game is in better shape now than it was ahead of his record-breaking victory in last years Masters.Were going to try and just use last year as momentum, Spieth said. We know were capable of playing this place, we have proven it to ourselves the last two years. Rory McIlroyAfter finding himself 12 shots off the pace after 36-holes last year, McIlroy feels a positive start will be imperative to his chances of winning a maiden Masters title.Jordan had it won after 36 holes last year, McIlroy said. I think its imperative to get off to a great start here, a good start. You look at a lot of Masters champions in the past, they have been right up there from the first day. McIlroy is the only player in the worlds top 5 yet to win in 2016 Adam ScottThe world No 6 says he is happy using a short putter again and goes into this weeks Masters full of confidence.I would say Im fully through that transition period, Scott added. The way I feel is no different than when I was with the longer putter. The routines and the practice and everything, the drills, they are all tthe same.ddddddddddddHenrik StensonDespite not having a worldwide victory since the 2014 DP World Tour Championship, Stenson believes he has the right style of game to win his first major tournament at Augusta. Stenson is confident of claiming a first major title this week I know Ive got a game that fits well for major championship golf, Stenson said. Ive just got to keep on putting myself in the final groups or in the last couple of groups. The more times I do that, the better the chances are for the outcome that I want to have.Dustin JohnsonAfter a run of near-missed in majors, Johnson has vowed to learn from past experiences as he aims to clinch his first major title.I still feel like my times coming, said Johnson. Ive just got to keep putting myself in position to have a chance to win. One of these days I will get it done.Andy Sullivan Sullivan practiced with Rory McIlroy on Tuesday Mentally Im very strong and Im pretty chirpy on the course, and thats going to be a key part of my week at Augusta, he told SkySports.com.Being my first year here, its so important for me to be positive and stay patient out there. Im a lot more inexperienced compared to most of the field, so hopefully naivety will be in my favour!Lee WestwoodThursday can come around - especially this tournament - and you can be a little bit burnt out. Physically you can get worn out, but mentally, more than anything, this is a really draining golf course. Also See: Scott full of confidence Day plays down favourite tag Rory faces late start Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '