Thorpe continues with record scoring

While the competition reeled off aces and strings of birdies, Jim Thorpe calmly stayed a few steps ahead.

Thorpe had another record-setting round at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Friday, shooting a 5-under 67 for a three-stroke lead over Tom Jenkins and the two-day record for the Champions Tour's season-ending event.

At 14-under 130 entering the weekend, Thorpe bested the tournament's previous record of 131 set by Dale Douglass in 1992 -- but he couldn't shake Jenkins or Tom Watson, who remained within striking distance while the rest of the field fell seven strokes back.

"This course is giving up a lot of birdies, so you've got to keep making them," Thorpe said.

With a hole-in-one on the 183-yard 17th, Jenkins leapfrogged Watson for second place with a second-round 67. Watson, still bemoaning his inability to read any greens at Sonoma Golf Club, shot a 66 and was four strokes behind Thorpe.

"I still think it will take 20 under par (to win)," Thorpe said of the Tour's final event of the season. "I've got to go out there on the first holes and try to make birdies, and if I don't, they're going to run me down."

With Thorpe and Jenkins maintaining the same margin that separated them after the first round, Saturday's final trio took a healthy lead over the rest of the field. Tom Kite (68), Craig Stadler (68) and Graham Marsh (67) were at 7-under 137.

If Thorpe holds on through the final two days, he could edge Watson for the Tour money title. Thorpe, currently fifth on the money list, has played 30 events this season -- more than twice as many as Watson, who leads with nearly $1.6 million.

Thorpe made four birdies and an eagle in six holes around the turn, briefly taking a five-stroke lead. His comfort on hard, fast greens -- which developed while he honed his game on cold weather courses in Buffalo, N.Y. -- allowed him to hit several significant putts.

But Thorpe's margin was nearly halved when Jenkins had his ace moments later, capping a bogey-free round.

"It's always nice when you can walk up to the green and not pull the putter out," Jenkins said.

Thorpe heartily congratulated Jenkins when the 9-iron shot bisected the cup. It was Jenkins' ninth hole-in-one on the Tour -- and the Tour's record 23rd this year. Bob Charles aced No. 4 earlier Friday and he finished with at 75.

"Being in the last group always gets the adrenaline going," Jenkins said. "(Thorpe) was hitting a driver probably better than I've ever seen him hit a driver before. ... Hopefully tomorrow I can get my putts started a little earlier. It's still early."

Watson, in third place after the opening round, played outstanding golf on the back nine for the second straight day. He birdied three of four holes early on the back side Friday, then eagled 16 before one more birdie on 18.

Watson is 10 under on the back nine after two days in what could be his last tournament with longtime caddie Bruce Edwards, who has Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Again, I hit the balls close to the hole, and then didn't hit any putts," Watson said. "These greens fool you. I hit a putt today that went the exact opposite of the way we thought it would. ... I've got to catch Jim, and Jim likes this golf course. He's playing a lot, and he's playing well."

In the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions competition for players over 60, Isao Aoki took a one-stroke lead over Tom Wargo at 5-under 139. The Grand Champions event concludes Saturday.

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