Since Dave Eichelberger won the U.S. Senior Open, more shots are on target and more friends are calling.

Eichelberger closed with an eagle and a birdie on the last two holes to build a three-stroke lead today after the second round of the Senior PGA Tour's Novell Utah Showdown.

Eichelberger, who three weeks ago won the Senior Open in Des Moines, was at 15-under 129 after two rounds of the 54-hole event at Park Meadows Country Club. He shot 9-under 63 on today, bolstered by eagles on the 15th and 17th holes.

Asked what's different about his game since the Senior Open, Eichelberger said the answer is nothing -- and everything.

"I've heard from a lot of friends. I had probably 100 letters and notes," Eichelberger said. "It really hasn't changed that much. I guess I just feel more confident on the golf course. I'm not sure if it's because of the Open win or I'm just feeling pretty competent."

Tied for second were Hale Irwin, John Mahaffey and defending champion Gil Morgan, all at 12-under 132 as the leaders took advantage of temperatures in the upper 60s under overcast skies.

Today's course conditions spawned 33 rounds below 70 and 56 rounds of par or better, turning the leaderboard into a sea of red and prompting many golfers who came into the interview room to predict low rounds will be needed to win on Sunday.

"I'll bet someone comes out here and lights it up," Morgan said. "It depends on the forecast, but if everything stays the same you've got to shoot some low numbers to have a chance."

Dana Quigley had the day's low round, a 10-under 62 that carried him to 11-under 133.

Greg Edwards, a Monday qualifier who held the first-round lead after a 9-under 63, followed with a 79 today and was way off the pace at 142. Steve Veriato, another Monday qualifier who was in second place after the first round, shot a 73 and was at 137.

For the second straight day, Eichelberger played a bogey-free round. After birdies at Nos. 7 and 8, he heated up on the back nine, shooting a 29 that included eagles on No. 15 and No. 17 and birdies at the 10th and 18th.

At the 15th, a 512-yard par-5, Eichelberger put his 6-iron approach within four feet and made the putt. At No. 17, a 505-yard par-5, he hit another 6-iron three feet over the hole but putted off the back fringe, sinking an 18-footer.

On the 459-yard, par-4 18th, Eichelberger stuck it again, hitting a 9-iron to within three feet and making the birdie putt.

"I was just hitting it close," he said. "I haven't done that in a long time."

Irwin remained in contention for his third straight Senior PGA Tour victory, getting four birdies and an eagle to offset two bogeys. He eagled the 17th by hitting a 5-iron within five feet.

After his 65, Irwin complained that his shots were playing left to right. He said he has adjusted, but he was disappointed the round wasn't up to the standard he had expected.

"I really don't have my A-game going, but my B-game is certainly working very nicely," Irwin said. "I feel odd bad-mouthing a 65."

Morgan, starting the day at 7-under, made the turn at minus-9 but bogeyed the 11th after three-putting from 40 feet. He kept his head, however, and birdied Nos. 12, 15, 16 and 17.

Jack Nicklaus, playing his first competitive golf in more than a month as he recovers from hip replacement surgery, shot a second-round 69 and was in a logjam with five others at 144.

Arnold Palmer was at 157 after shooting a second-day 79. Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench shot 75 for the second straight day.

AP