Bruce Fleisher
and Allen Doyle are surprising everybody but themselves this year.
Fleisher had a second straight 6-under 66 today in the Transamerica seniors tournament
to take a two-stroke lead over Doyle, who shot the day's best round, a 65.
Fleisher's two-day total
of 132 is a tournament record for 36 holes.
Fleisher was the U.S. Amateur champion 1968, and won only once on the regular
tour, in 1991. He's seeking his sixth victory in his first year on the Senior
PGA Tour.
Doyle
never won a regular tour title, choosing to serve his ROTC commitment out of college,
then working in the textile industry. He's going after the fifth win of his rookie
year.
"I'm sure
a lot of guys are surprised to see me this high on the money list," Doyle said.
Fleisher tops the money
list with $1.95 million, just ahead of Hale Irwin at $1.9 million. Doyle is third
at $1.6 million.
"Allen
is good. He has a lot of guts," Fleisher said.
Doyle returned the compliment.
"He'll
be tough. He seems to be able to keep the lead," Doyle said.
Fleisher is 3-for-3 this year when he has been in sole possession of the lead
going into the final round.
"I
didn't feel good today," Fleisher said. "It seemed I was rushing all morning to
get nothing done. The end result was nice."
Fleisher said the key to the tournament could turn out to be his par on the 16th
hole Saturday. After driving too close to the green, he wound up with a tough
chip shot.
"I chipped
it just to get it on the green," Fleisher said. "I happen to hit a 20-footer for
par and that saved the round."
Fleisher is looking to become the first rookie to win the money title since Lee
Trevino in 1990.
Walter Hall was three strokes back after a round of 68, while Bruce Summerhays
was at 136 after a 67.
Dana Quigley also moved into contention with a 67 and was at 137 along with Mike
McCullough, who had a 68, Al Geiberger, a 69, and first-round co-leader Hubert
Green, who had a 71.
Irwin shot a 2-under 70 and was at 146.
Doyle started the day in a tie for 11th place, but moved up because he was able
to "keep it around the green."
Jim Colbert, defending champion of the $1.1 million event, finished with a 3-under
69 for a two-day total of 138.
