New clubs and motivation from the teenagers participating in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open provided Irwin's impetus Saturday at Del Monte Golf Course.

Capitalizing on nine birdies, Irwin carded a 7-under 65 and was later joined by Des Smyth (64) and Gil Morgan (65) in a three-way, two-stroke lead at the fourth annual event.

"It was a very, very boring 65 today," said a chuckling Irwin. There weren't any hole-outs from the bunkers. I just hit a lot of good shots. Most of the putts were probably 12 feet or less."

A three-time U.S. Open winner, Irwin became the youngest of five players to win at age 61 when he captured the MasterCard Championship in Kona, Hawaii, last January.

Mike Fetchick is the oldest pro tournament winner, claiming the 1985 Hilton Head Seniors Invitational on his 63rd birthday. Gary Player is the second-oldest player to win, claiming the Northville Long Island Classic in 1998 at age 62.

"The competitive urge is still there and the desire to excel is still there," said Irwin, the career leader in Champions Tour wins (45) and in earnings ($30,260,086). "I have to admit that these kids who are playing here are great to be with and they give you that extra snap, that extra pace that I think is really helpful to show where you started and I love being around them."

"I had some really good irons going today and I managed my game well," said Irwin. "With the mistakes of where I made two bogeys, it was a pretty well-played day.

"This little course can produce the most birdies, but you know it's a funny little course. If you don't keep it in play and if you try to be too aggressive, it can get you because it's so narrow and if you miss the greens with your irons, you can have some difficult trips. I think you have to play it aggressive, yes, but you also have to be careful."

Irwin won 20 PGA Tour tournaments, including the U.S. Open three times, before joining the former Seniors Tour in 1995. He won events for 11 consecutive years until the streak ended in 2006.

Beginning with the 1967 NCAA Championship, the year he graduated from Colorado University, Irwin has won 76 tournaments from Brazil to Australia and in 19 different states.

Irwin's long career also includes the 1984 title at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach when he defeated Jim Nelford in a playoff after posting a 8-under 278 total.

"Having played here for so many years, particularly at Pebble . . . well, every course changes, every course evolves," said Irwin. "The knowledge of having played well here and having enjoyed the tournament is certainly helpful."

While not specifically hinting toward retirement, Irwin also provided a glimpse into his life after competitive golf.

"There are a lot of things going out outside of my golf game right now that have perhaps been a little distracting," said Irwin, who with his son has a golf course design business. "They're all good things, I don't want to imply that they're bad. But there are some business situations and some opportunities that are very good in front of me, and I'm not going to play golf the rest of my life, although I may play at it."

At the same time, Irwin said he still longs to win. And his enduring competitive nature will likely been apparent when he's in the final group with Gil Morgan at Pebble Beach on Sunday. The duo were the dominant players on Champions Tour during late 1990s.

"It's still the same as it was," said Irwin. "But rather than just my kids needing shoes, I've got grand kids who need shoes."!-- Kontera ContentLinkô  -->