If Roger Rowland is going to improve his position on the Champions Tour, he'll need to do two things: (1) hit more fairways in regulation so he's not constantly playing out of the rough; and (2) hit more greens in regulation, which would come almost automatically if he accomplishes No. 1.

    Roger shot a 4-over-par 76 in yesterday's opening round of the SAS Championship in Cary, North Carolina, and he wasn't helped by hitting just 5 of 15 tee shots on the fairway. The 33% non-accuracy led to hitting just 9 of 18 greens, thus his 4-over-par round. He wasn't in such bad shape after playing the back nine with three bogeys and two birdies - for 38. But a double on No. 1 and a bogey on 3 killed his round, even though he parred the last six holes. He wound up the day tied for 73rd in the field of 79 vying for the major share of the $2.1 million pot.

    Rocco Mediate is the first-round leader with a 7-under-65, one stroke better than Y. E. Yang and two better than Tom Gillis. 

      

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