Gilder takes narrow lead into last day

Bob Gilder is the only Senior PGA Tour player to win consecutive tournaments this season, and he is trying to do it again.

Gilder fired a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 to overtake Andy North and grab a one-shot lead after Saturday's second round of the $1.5 million Kroger Senior Classic at the TPC at River's Bend.

"In the position I'm in, I know how to win now," Gilder said. "I just try to play one shot at a time, and that's worked well."

No one on the elder circuit is hotter than Gilder. In late July, he won back-to-back events in playoffs, claiming the SBC Senior Open and the FleetBoston Classic.

Last week, Gilder won the Allianz Championship, joining Hale Irwin as the tour's only three-time winners this year. He is second to Irwin on the money list with a career-best $1.7 million and Saturday's outstanding round put him closer to another set of consecutive wins.

"I feel I'm in better control of my iron play this week than last," said Gilder, who had birdie opportunities on nearly every hole.

Gilder is at 13-under 131, one stroke better than North, who signed for a 68, and Ed Dougherty, who matched Gilder with a 65.

It is another shot back to Tom Kite, who had the best round of the day, tying the course record with a 64 that included a 20-foot chip-in for eagle on the par-5 11th hole.

"I hit the ball very well today tee to green," Kite said. "That is encouraging."

After saving par on the first hole, Gilder birdied four of the next five. He two-putted from 75 feet for birdie on the par-5 sixth.

"Lots of guys are making birdies out there," Gilder said. "I'm giving myself a lot of chances."

Gilder birdied 11, then added consecutive birdies at Nos. 15 and 16. He missed an 18-foot birdie try on 18.

"Today was the best day I've had tee to green, except for the last hole," he said.

North has spent most of the year evaluating the play of others as an analyst for ESPN. He wasn't nearly as good as he was Friday, when he fired a 64, but he stayed in the hunt.

"When you're in the final group on Sunday, you've got yourself in position to win," said North, a two-time U.S. Open champion who has yet to win in three years on the Senior Tour. "It's fun to be in that position. That's why we play this game."

Dougherty's bogey-free 65 included an eagle at the par-4 10th hole, where he drained a 9-iron from 134 yards. He is looking for his first win since last year's TD Waterhouse Championship.

"I'm in position," he said. "If I shoot the lowest round tomorrow, I might win. I like my position. We have a chance to do something tomorrow."

Ben Crenshaw (65), Gil Morgan (68) and Hubert Green (68) are lurking at 9-under 135.

The TPC at River's Bend is a par-72, 7,145-yard course.

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