Purtzer extends lead to two shots

Tom Purtzer's short game put him in control for his second Champions Tour win of the season.

Purtzer followed an opening-round 65 with a 68 Saturday to move to 11 under and take a two-stroke lead over Walter Hall and John Jacobs in the Bank of America Championship at the Nashawtuc Country Club.

Purtzer missed birdie putts from less than 10 feet on Nos. 16 and 17, and then found himself in the rough after his second shot on the par-5 18th. But he saved himself with a wedge shot to 3 feet and made the putt.

"If I would have missed that putt on 18 I would have been depressed," said Purtzer. "But making birdie on 18 the way I did makes me feel good about my chances tomorrow."

Hall, who says he's finally healthy after battling back spasms most of the year, began the day at 5 under, two shots behind Purtzer. He jumped into a tie for the lead with a birdie on No. 14, but the gave it back with a bogey on No. 16.

"I played real solid, except for one bad iron shot on 16," Hall said. "All in all I can't complain."

Jacobs shot a 5-under 67 to jump into a tie for second. Jacobs, who hasn't finished higher than 29th at Nashawtuc since 1998, joked his improved play can be attributed to his advancing age more than anything else.

"I haven't played good here before because I liked the nightlife too much," Jacobs joked. "Hopefully tomorrow I can complete the deal and ride off into the sunset."

John Harris, who shot a 66 Friday and opened play in second place, shot a 33 on the front nine and briefly held the lead at 9 under. But he made double-bogey on the par-3 No. 13 and finished at 8 under, tied with Jerry Pate and Tom Kite for third.

Jay Sigel finished the back nine in 32 to move to 7 under, where he sat with Doug Tewell and Craig Stadler. Defending champion Allen Doyle shot a 67 and was 6 under.

Lee Trevino, who shot a 70 Friday, withdrew following a 41 on the front nine after reaggravating a disc injury in his back.

Purtzer has made 14 birdies through 36 holes, including five Saturday. His short game also came in handy on the par-5 No. 10, when he landed a wedge 2 feet from the hole and made birdie.

Should Purtzer win Sunday, he'll join Bob Gilder (2002) as the only winners in the 24-year history of the tournament to go wire-to-wire.

"If you stumble a bit, they'll jump on you," said Purtzer. "Playing three rounds, you can't afford a miscue."

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