Marsh leads from Irwin & Trevino

Graham Marsh made the most of a windswept round with an incredible long-distance putting display.

The Australian made four putts over 50 feet en route to a 5-under-par 67 and a two-stroke lead today after the second round of the MasterCard Championship.

Marsh, a six-time winner on the Senior PGA Tour, made a 60-foot putt on the second hole, a 54-footer on the fourth, a 51-footer on the sixth and a 66-footer on the 11th.

"It was just survival out there," Marsh said of the 30 mph winds that swept across the Hualalai course. "Clubbing was a nightmare. It was one of those testing, trying days.

"I was somewhat blessed today. I had four putts in the three-putt zone and all of them went in. I'll take them."

Marsh had two other birdies and a bogey -- when he left his approach short and three-putted on the 440-yard 16th -- to reach the 36-hole mark at 9-under 135.

Hale Irwin, Lee Trevino and Dana Quigley followed at 137. Irwin, a 25-time winner on the 50-and-over circuit, and Quigley shot 69s. Trevino, a 28-time senior winner, had a 70.

"Hale wasn't talking to me after the third long putt, but in a friendly sort of way, of course," Marsh said.

Quigley made the turn in 2-under 34 and added a birdie on the 10th to go 7-under. Irwin joined him despite a bogey on the back nine, while Trevino birdied two of the final five holes for his 70.

"Graham made quite a few long putts even though he had some loose shots," Irwin said. "Actually, Dana played the best of our group."

Of his own game, Irwin said, "It was not a great round, but I like my position. I'm still in there even though my execution is a little suspect right now."

John Jacobs, the first-round leader after a 64, shot a 74 to drop into a fifth place tie with George Archer and Jim Colbert at 138. Allen Doyle followed at 139, and Raymond Floyd was at 140.

Marsh, who started the round four strokes behind Jacobs, had four birdies on the front nine on the windy Hualalai course to tie for the lead. Marsh's final long birdie putt, on the 416-yard 11th, put him into the lead to stay.

Jack Nicklaus, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday, shot an 80 for a 9-over 153 total.

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