Gil Morgan takes over lead

Gil Morgan birdied the final three holes Saturday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Royal Caribbean Classic.

Morgan finished up a 4-under-par 68 to move to 6-under 138 in the $1.45 million tournament that marks the first full-field event of the season on the Champions Tour.

Australia's Rodger Davis of Australia shot a 70 and is alone in second at 5-under.

Morgan started the day four shots behind first-round leader Bobby Wadkins, who had overnight back problems and struggled to a 2-over 74. Wadkins is tied at 4-under with Hubert Green, Tom Purtzer and Dave Barr.

Morgan's closing flurry started at the 16th hole, where he landed an eight-iron 12 feet from the hole to set up a birdie. He knocked a six-iron to five feet at No. 17 and had a tap-in on the par-5 finishing hole.

"I was glad to finish with three birdies, but I got a lucky break at 18," Morgan said. "I hit a palm tree and the ball should have gone in the water."

The 56-year-old Morgan has won 21 tournaments since joining the Champions Tour in 1996.

"I've accomplished quite a bit on this tour," he said. "My only complaint is to never win the Senior Open or the Senior PGA. That would be nice if I would do that. I've won seven straight years out here, it would be nice to extend the streak early this year."

Morgan broke out with birdies at Nos. 1 and 3 but negated the quick start with two bogeys, the second coming on the ninth hole. At the par-5 14th, he two-putted from 30 feet for his third birdie.

Davis had sole possession of the lead on the back nine. At the 12th hole, he hit a six-iron 10 feet from the hole and converted the birdie. On No. 14, he again left a six-iron 12 feet from the cup and birdied to reach 5-under for the tournament.

But at the 17th hole, Davis landed in the rough in front of a bunker and chipped 20 feet short of the hole before two-putting for bogey. He recovered with a five-foot birdie on 18.

"It was hard to pick the wind. You have to be patient out there," said the 56-year-old. "It could be an interesting day tomorrow."

Wadkins hurt his back during his opening-round 66 and was hurt by a pair of double-bogeys Saturday, both on par-3s. He recovered somewhat with a birdie at No. 18.

The 51-year-old Virginian had 11 top-10 finishes last season and was 13th on the money list with more than $1.27 million.

Green matched Morgan's round with a 68, totaling three birdies on the back nine.

"I'm striking the ball with a little more authority," Green said. "I'm happy to be where I am."

Gary Koch, who is making his Champions Tour debut this week, carded a 72 and is tied at 3-under with Allen Doyle and Christy O'Connor.

A long-time golf analyst for NBC who turned 50 last November, Koch is the latest golfer to seek riches on the Champions Tour after a successful run on the PGA Tour.

Defending champion John Jacobs struggled with a 75 and is 2-over.

The par-72 Crandon Park Golf Club course measures 6,953 yards. First prize is $217,500.

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