Nelson leads Irwin by one

Alabama native Larry Nelson shot two 6-under-par 66s on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion Hale Irwin in the rain-soaked Bruno's Memorial Classic.

Irwin birdied the final four holes and tied a tournament record with his second-round 63. He played 24 holes Saturday.

``It's exciting for me, not just for this tournament, not just for (Sunday), but there's a lot of the year left,'' said Nelson, coming off a 51st-place finish last week in the Countrywide Tradition. ``I haven't hit the ball good two straight days this year and I have definitely hit the ball well for two days this week.''

The first round was suspended because of thunderstorms Friday after starting two hours late, and play was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain early Saturday. The second round on the Greystone Golf and Country Club's Founder's Course started shortly after the first was completed.

A pair of unlikely contenders were tied at 10 under while four players were four shots back.

Sammy Rachels birdied six of his final seven holes for a second-round 64. At 62, George Archer looked anything but his age with a pair of 67s and no bogeys in the first two rounds.

``I'm a good mudder,'' Archer said. ``I hit some real good shots out there.''

Bruce Fleisher, the first-round leader, added seven strokes to his earlier 64 and is tied with Dana Quigley (66-69) at 9 under, three strokes back.

Nelson won five tournaments last year but had been nursing shoulder and hip problems since last June. He finally got a cortisone shot a few weeks ago and it's helped his game.

Both Nelson, the 1999 champion, and Irwin are vying to become the first two-time champion in the 11-year history of the event.

Irwin began the second round at 2 under and three-putted the first hole for bogey. Seeking his third win of the year, he lightened his putting grip and followed with four birdies on the front nine and a torrid back stretch.

``Birdieing the last four holes is a terrific way to finish your day,'' Irwin said.

He shot a first-round 70 with 16 pars and two birdies.

``It was not a very good display of golf,'' Irwin said. ``There was somepressure to get back into the tournament in the second round.''

Divots

The soggy conditions prompted Nelson and others to adopt the old-fashioned knickers look. Nelson tucked his blue trousers into matching, albeit wet socks a few holes into the second round. ``Actually, it's a pretty good look,'' Nelson said. ``My wife kind of likes it.'' ... Archer captured the SuperSeniors competition, but 66-year-old Bob Charles came closer to shooting his age with a 69. It was Archer's second SuperSeniors win this year andseventh overall.

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