Tom Watson extends lead with second 64

Tom Watson extended his lead to three strokes with a second straight 64 on Saturday at the MasterCard Championship -- the season-opening event on the Champions Tour.

Using precise ball-striking and deft chipping, Watson was bogey-free and one shot off the course record for the second day in a row.

Wayne Levi is second heading into Sunday's final round at Hualalai Golf Club, which was vulnerable to low scoring on a cloudy and windless day.

Watson completed 36 holes in 16-under-par 128. That is the best starting 36-hole score in tournament history and ties the best consecutive 36-hole score. Levi, who registered six birdies in a seven-hole stretch starting at the ninth, shot a 65 to come in at 131.

Gil Morgan equaled Watson with a 64 and was tied for third at 12 under par with Dana Quigley, who shot a 65. Next at 10 under were Hale Irwin, who had a 65, Craig Stadler (67) and John Jacobs (67).

Stadler, Irwin, and Quigley each registered two eagles and the field converted 12, six more than the previous day. All but two of the 37 players in the field -- Arnold Palmer and Gary Player -- broke par.

Quigley forged a tie with Watson at 12-under when he nailed his second eagle at the par-5 14th, but Watson responded with a four-birdie run beginning at the 13th to re-establish his advantage.

Six of Watson's eight birdies were no more than a foot in length.

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