Conover, NC (My Sportsbook) - Defending champion R.W. Eaks flirted with a magical 59 on Friday, but settled for an 11-under 61 and the first-round lead at the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.

Eaks was 11-under with the par-five closing hole ahead of him. He had the length to get home in two, but hit a drive that left him with an awkward lie.

Hitting his second short and left of the green, he needed to pitch in for the eagle that would get him to 59.

His chip came up 10 feet short. Eaks missed that birdie putt to match the lowest round in Champions Tour history, but settled for an amazing round and the lead.

"I had a wonderful day," said Eaks. "I had a great time playing with those guys today. What a great day."

Eaks is only three clear of Tom Jenkins, who shot an eight-under 64 on Friday.

Tradition winner Fred Funk is alone in third at seven-under 65.

Eaks wasted little time on Friday with a birdie at the first hole. He eagled the par-five fourth, then rattled off four consecutive birdies and made the turn in 29.

At the 10th, Eaks continued his amazing play. He rolled in a nine-foot birdie putt to reach eight-under par for the championship.

Two holes later, Eaks converted a 25-foot par save from the fringe to keep his round going. He sank another nine-foot birdie putt at the 13th and nearly made eagle at the par-five 14th, but settled for a birdie.

Eaks ran home a 20-foot birdie putt at 15 for his third in a row.

"When I made that putt on 15 for birdie on the par three, I looked at that leaderboard," said Eaks. "I said, 'This is the best chance I'm ever going to have to shoot 59.'"

He made a routine par at the 16th, then stuffed his tee ball to 12 feet at the par-three 17th. Eaks came very close to making his putt, but the ball rolled off its line.

Eaks then parred 18 for the course record, but missed out on golf immortality.

Now, he's focused on winning this championship for the second year in a row.

"I feel so comfortable here," acknowledged Eaks. "I feel like I'm at home. I hope it works out the next two days."

Boeing Classic winner Tom Kite, Bruce Vaughan, Tom Purtzer, Dan Forsman and Tom McKnight are knotted in fourth place at six-under 66.

Mark Wiebe, Gil Morgan and Mark McNulty share ninth at minus-five.