Watson moves two clear in windy conditions

Tom Watson shot a 3-under-par 69 in windy conditions Saturday to take a two-stroke lead in the SBC Senior Classic.

The five-time British Open champion overcame 30 mph wind and even stronger gusts at Valencia Country Club to take a 3-under 141 total into the final round.

``It's like a chess game,'' Watson said. ``You have to play the wind. You try to pick the shot. That's my forte. It fits right into my game.

``I honestly think the wind is the unknown factor. It's the most challenging part of the game of golf. How you judge the wind determines the outcome.''

Watson, a 32-time winner on the PGA Tour, is looking for his fourth senior title after winning once in each of the last three years since joining the tour in 1999.

Tom Kite, Doug Johnson and Gil Morgan were tied for second.

Kite, seeking his second victory of the year, matched Watson's 69. Johnson shot a 70, and Morgan had a 72. First-round leader Tom Purtzer was three strokes back at even-par 144 after a 74.

Kite birdied three of the first six holes, but played even par the rest of the way with two birdies and two bogeys.

``The wind is not a strange occurrence for us,'' Kite said. ``But this golf course wasn't designed to be played in this severe wind.

``I love playing in the wind. Nobody likes a steady diet of wind because it can get your swing out of kilter. I do think I'm a better wind player than most. That gives me an advantage.''

Kite opened the season with a six-stroke victory in the Mastercard Championship in Hawaii.

The 51-year-old Johnson was one of four players qualify for the event on Monday. Johnson has never finished higher than 14th in a senior tour event.

Ed Dougherty had the best round of the day, following an opening 80 with a68.

Divots

Gibby Gilbert birdied the final hole to edge George Archer by a stroke in the Super Senior competition for players 60 and over. Gilbert, tied with Archer going to the final hole, shot a 72 for a 1-over 145 total. Gilbert, tiedfor sixth in the main tournament, earned $39,000.

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