DEARBORN, Michigan (Ticker) -- Hubert Green's record-setting round at the Senior Players Championship could have been lower. But he's not complaining.

Seeking his first major title on the elder circuit, Green matched the tournament scoring record Friday with a 9-under-par 63 that included a chip-in for birdie at the TPC of Michigan's 18th hole.

Green reached 10-under 134 midway through the final major of the season, putting him three shots ahead of first-round leader Hale Irwin, Howard Twitty and Mike McCullough.

Irwin recorded the best opening-round score in tournament history before struggling to a 73.

Green rarely struggled as he came within a stroke of his best round during a 33-year professional career that includes 19 PGA Tour titles. His 63 matched the Senior Players Championship mark set by Jim Colbert in 1995.

"I made some good putts," said Green, who has three wins in six years on the Senior Tour but has cracked the top 10 just once this year. "And it was a nice, fun day."

It could have been even more fun if not for lip-outs at the fifth and 16th holes. But the 56-year-old Alabama native had little to complain about.

"When you make nine birdies, that's pretty damn low," he said. "Don't get piggish out here. The golfing gods have the last say, and they have two more rounds here before they are through with me."

Irwin carded a 64 on Thursday but played the last nine holes Friday in 2-over and fell three shots off the pace at 7-under 137. The 1999 winner has a Senior Tour-record 34 titles and the lowest scoring average in Senior Players Championship history.

Twitty had a rollercoaster bogey-free 69 that could have been lower if not for a faulty putter. On the back nine, he missed a pair of eight-foot putts and a 10-footer, but was happy playing the course without a bogey.

"Really, to play any golf course is pretty tough without a bogey," said Twitty, who is winless in 109 Senior Tour starts. "You know, I'm very pleased with it. Just hope I can keep from making mistakes the next two days."

McCullough made few mistakes en route to a 69 that left him in a tie for second. He had five birdies and two bogeys as he continued his quest for his first major title in eight years on the elder circuit.

Tour rookie Mark McCumber, Tom Jenkins, Stewart Ginn of Australia and Jay Sigel are tied for fifth at 138, a stroke better than Tom Wargo and two ahead of Larry Nelson, Dave Stockton and Butch Sheehan.

Doug Tewell, Bruce Lietzke, Ted Goin and Dick Mast are seven strokes back at 141.

Defending champion Allen Doyle is at 143.

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