PHOENIX – Stewart Cink shot a seven-under 64 on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the final event of the PGA Tour Champions season.

Cink, 51, had eight birdies and one bogey at Phoenix Country Club. Cink, winner of the Ally Challenge in August at Michigan for his first senior title, entered Week 12 in the season standings.

“I kept working,” Cink said. “I wasn’t focused on every part of my game, but my attitude was great, I stayed in the present and I was working really hard not to get too emotionally involved in the rounds and just let things develop.”

KJ Choi was second after a 67. Jerry Kelly, Paul Broadhurst and Stephen Ames followed with 68s.

“You don’t want to shoot yourself in the leg in the first round,” said Ames, a three-time winner this year and third in the standings. “You want to be somewhere at the top.”

Season leader Ernie Els opened with a 69 as he attempts to maintain first place and a $1 million bonus.

Bernhard Langer was also at 69 with Rod Pampling, Joe Durant and Alex Cejka.

Defending tournament champion Steven Alker shot 70. He is No. 2 in the standings.

The top 36 players on the points list qualified, with Steve Stricker being the only qualifier who was not in the field. He has never played a postseason event on the PGA Tour Champions.