Doyle's birdie streak earns lead

Allen Doyle birdied five of the last eight holes today for a 4-under-par 67 that gave him a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the soggy Toshiba Senior PGA Classic.

Doyle, who completed two rounds over the 6,584-yard Newport Beach Country Club course at 136, opened his round with three birdies over the first four holes, only to stagger to four bogeys over the next six holes.

"If I had of dropped 20 spots I would have called myself a real dummy," Doyle said. "So it was reassuring that although I blew that good start, I was still in pretty good shape.

"The weather did get pretty lousy," Doyle said. "On top of the rain it was getting cold. And I was conscious of the weather. I was thinking if I got to 6-under there might not be a tomorrow" should Sunday's final round be rained out.

Doyle, a four-time winner last season who's looking for his first victory this year, led Jim Thorpe, who also shot 67, and Howard Twitty, who had a 70.

Twitty missed a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole Saturday that would have moved him into a tie with Doyle.

"It just rolled over the hole," Twitty said. "But it was survival today. That's the best way I can describe it. Very difficult to stay loose, difficult to get the right club and hard to get the right distance."

Roy Vucinich, who shared the opening-round lead with a 66, managed only a 72 Saturday and was at 138.

John Mahaffey, whose 66 was the best round of the day, was among nine players at 139. Also at 3-under was Dave Eichelberger, who had a 73 after holding a share of the 18-hole lead.

Defending tournament champion Gary McCord, who lost last week in a playoff, shot a 74 and was seven shots behind Doyle.

George Archer, 60, won the 36-hole tournament-within-a-tournament for players 60 and over, shooting a 71 for a 140.

"I was cold out there," Archer added. "I am looking forward to going to Mexico and getting well. I've been sick the last few days."

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