LAS VEGAS -- Larry Nelson, the runner-up in his past three events, shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday for a share of the second-round lead with Bruce Fleisher in the Las Vegas Senior Classic.
Larry Nelson hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation.
Nelson, a three-time major championship winner on the PGA Tour
who has five senior victories, matched Fleisher at 11-under 133 on
the Tournament Players Club at Summerlin.
"I've finished second three weeks in a row, so it would be nice
just to move up a little," said Nelson, who hit 17 of 18 greens in
regulation Saturday after hitting all 18 Friday.
"I've only missed two greens all week. I missed one in the
practice round and I missed one today and the one I missed today
was kind of tough. I hit a sand wedge from 140 yards and the ball
just got caught in the wind and it flew the green."
Fleisher, seeking his third victory of the year and 10th in two
seasons, shot a 67. He had a bad break on the par-5 ninth, when his
second shot rolled over the green and wound up in a bad lie.
"I could barely get a club on it," said Fleisher, who chipped
on and made par on a hole most of the leaders birdied.
Gil Morgan was a stroke back after a 66. David Lundstrom shot a
67 for a 135 total, and Hugh Baiocchi (67) and Dave Stockton (70)
followed at 136.
Hale Irwin, the 1997 and 1998 winner, and Jim Colbert, the 1995
and 1996 champion, shot 68s to join Roy Vucinich at 137.
First-round leaders Doug Tewell and Bob Murphy dropped back.
Tewell, coming off a victory Monday in the PGA Seniors'
Championship, shot a 73 for a 138 total, and Murphy had a 76 for a
141 total.