Fred Funk grabbed a share of the Insperity Championship lead after a second-round 69 on Saturday.
Funk is tied at the top on nine under with first-round leader Tom Lehman, who followed up his opening 65 with a 70 at The Woodlands Country Club.
"I'm playing really good. I'm really pleased with where I am," Funk said. "I'm doing all the stuff I need to do. I'm really excited about where I am, regardless of what happens (Sunday), with all the big stuff coming up.
"It's fun to be back in contention and be in the mix," he added. "I just want to be in the mix."
Funk is seeking his first Champions Tour win since the 2010 Regions Tradition. Having won the 1992 Houston Open on this course, Funk will complete a unique double if he can become the first player to win a PGA Tour event and a Champions Tour title at the same place since Tom Watson won the 1980 British Open and the 2007 Senior British Open at Muirfield.
Lehman, playing with Funk on Saturday, had five birdies, but also three bogeys, all of which came on the back nine.
"You have birdie holes out here, but there's a lot of good holes, too, where you can get in trouble," he said.
Mike Goodes and Brad Bryant lie one shot back, Goodes after a 67 and Bryant a 68. Bobby Clampett (67) shares fifth with Michael Allen (68), who is looking to win his third straight Champions Tour event, a further shot behind.
Saturday's action also featured the grouping of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, playing in a three-team exhibition scramble. The legendary trio won the event.