Three tied for lead into final day

Dan O'Neill shot a 5-under 67, birdieing five of the final nine holes in rainy conditions, for a share of the second-round lead Saturday in the Farmers Charity Classic.

Australia's Rodger Davis also shot a 67 and Jay Sigel had a 69 to match O'Neill at 8-under 136 on the Egypt Valley course. Morris Hatalsky (66) was a stroke back, and Bob Gilder (68), Wayne Levi (68), Jim Thorpe (69) and Tom Wargo (69) followed at 138.

The 51-year-old O'Neill tied for 10th in Mexico in the Audi Senior Classic, but has finished over par in the other 11 events he's played this season. He has only two rounds in the 60s this season, both this week.

``I'm feeling more comfortable out here,'' O'Neill said. ``I seem to get calmer when the heat is on.''

The Jamestown, N.Y., resident earned exempt status on the senior tour this season by finishing third in the qualifying tournament.

Sigel, who shared the first-round lead with David Eger, had four birdies and one bogey on the cool day that saw play suspended for three minutes because of a late-morning shower.

``I'm never surprised who does well,'' said Sigel, who has overcome surgery on both shoulders. ``I'd like to play well, but if they play better fine. We have more good players now then we ever have.''

Davis, seeking his first top-10 finish of the season, had seven birdies and two bogeys.

``I'm ready to win a tournament,'' Davis said. ``I think I'm a good enough player to win.''

Gary Player, 66, is four shots back in his bid to become the first golfer to win a United States tournament in six decades. He won the 36-hole Georgia-Pacific Super Senior tournament Saturday by a stroke over Dave Hill and Rocky Thompson, earning $39,000.

Two-time defending champion Larry Nelson is seven shots back at 143. He shot a 74 on Saturday.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page