Craig Thomas, Kirk Hanefeld lead PGA Winter Championships Senior Stroke Play

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2017) – Craig Thomas fired a 64 and Kirk Hanefeld a 65 to lead their divisions Monday in the PGA Winter Championships Senior Stoke Play at PGA Golf Club.

Thomas of White Plains, N.Y. played his last six holes in six-under on the Wanamaker Course to take a two-shot lead over former PGA Tour winner Neal Lancaster in the 50-59 division.

 “I haven’t had that feeling in a while … forever,” Thomas, the Head PGA Professional at Metropolis Golf Club in White Plains, N.Y, said of his torrid finish. “I hit it pretty well and I made some putts.”

Lancaster, who won the 1994 Byron Nelson Classic, shot a bogey-free 66. Steve Schneiter and Michael Tucker are tied for third with 67s.

RELATED: Senior Stroke Play Championship A (ages 50-59) leaderboard | Senior Stroke Play Championship B (ages 60 and over)

Hanefeld also was bogey free during his 65 on the Ryder Course to lead Hobe Sound’s Mike San Filippo by two shots. San Filippo (67) lost in a playoff to Stu Ingraham in last week’s Quarter Century Championship.

Jerry Tucker, who won his division of the Quarter Century Championship with a back-handed chip on the last hole, is third with a 68.

The 54-hole event ends Wednesday.

The PGA Winter Championships are presented by GolfAdvisor.com and PrimeSport.