Irwin retains lead into last round

Hale Irwin shot a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Bruce Fleisher and Tom Jenkins into the final round of the Bruno's Memorial Classic.

Irwin, winless in seven starts this season after winning a record 36 titles in his first eight years on the Champions Tour, had a 12-under 132 total on Greystone's Founder's Course.

``I'm not unhappy with my score, but when you birdie three of the first five and then make only two more birdies the rest of the day, you're a little disappointed,'' Irwin said. ``It was another bogey-free round today, which meant I didn't give one back.''

The three-time U.S. Open champion won the 2001 event, shooting three straight 65s to break the tournament record by six strokes. In 22 rounds at Greystone, he's 73-under.

``Hale is the best,'' said Fleisher, who had a 67. ``That's why you're out here, to be in the same threesome as him. To be in the same pairing with him on Sunday, it doesn't get any better for me.''

Jenkins shot a 66.

``Hale's a tough guy to beat,'' Jenkins said. ``I've done it before. It's going to be a fun day, an exciting day. The par-5s are going to be the key.''

Bob Gilder (67) was three strokes back at 9-under, and 67-year-old Bob Charles (65) and Jim Colbert (67) followed at 8-under.

Irwin made a 4-foot putt to save par on the 17th hole, and hung onto the lead when Fleisher missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole that stopped a half-turn short of the cup.

``All in all, I'm pleased,'' Irwin said. ``I'm certainly looking forward to tomorrow. I don't mind being in the lead. Sometimes I think it makes me concentrate more, makes me put the pedal down a little harder.''

The winner will receive $210,000 from the $1.4 million purse.

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