Associated Press
Saturday, July 1

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Fans attending the U.S. Senior Open have watched some excellent golf, and they've responded.

"It was unbelievable out there," Tom Kite said after shooting a 5-under-par 66 Saturday to pull within three shots of leader Bruce Fleisher.

"Electricity was definitely in the air. Everybody watching could sense some great things were happening. It was an exciting day for everybody."

Attendance in the third round was 29,000, which paled in comparison to the 47,200 who turned out for Day 3 last year at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

But the fans who have come here are showing their support. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus drew large galleries all week. Fans lined up eight to 10 deep to watch Bruce Fleisher and Jim Thorpe as well as Tom Kite and Hale Irwin.

Total attendance for the week, including the practice rounds is 116,500.

Trevino's steady climb continues
Lee Trevino shot a 1-under-par 70 in the third round to improve by two strokes for the third straight day.

"Well, if we can stay here about a month, I might be able to win," Trevino joked.

The 60-year-old Texan is coming off a victory last week in the Cadillac NFL Golf Classic. It was his first tour win since 1998, and he played just one practice round this week.

"I don't play a lot of practice rounds," he said. "I drove the ball poorly the first two days."

Tough homecoming
After finishing second to Dave Eichelberger in the 1999 Senior Open, Ed Dougherty hasn't had nearly the same success this year while playing in his home state.

Dougherty, a native of Linwood, shot a 72 in the third round. He was at 6-over 219 entering the final 18 holes.

Dougherty held a one stroke lead over Eichelberger heading into the final round at Des Moines Golf and Country Club last year, but finished three strokes behind.

He's still looking for his first victory since winning the Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic while on the regular tour in 1995.

Meanwhile, Eichelberger has struggled in his title defense, shooting 221 through three rounds.

Mahaffey fires personal best
John Mahaffey's 66 in the third round was his first time under 70 after 10 rounds in the Senior Open.

"The last two days, I've hit 17 greens both days," he said. "I putted atrociously yesterday. I worked and worked and worked on putting yesterday afternoon and I changed how I grip the putter. It seemed to work."

Mahaffey was at 213 entering the last round.

Charismatic Chi Chi
Chi Rodriguez entertained the crowd, joking between shots, gesturing after a birdie on hole No. 3 and signing autographs in the walkways.

Rodriguez, who made the cut for the first time since 1997, shot a 74 and was tied with Nicklaus at 215 after three rounds.

Like father, like son
While Dave Stockton Sr. is contending in the Senior Open, his son, Dave Stockton Jr. is seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour in the Canon Greater Hartford Open. Stockton Sr. is eight behind Fleisher after the third round while his son is nine back of Mark Calcavecchia with 18 holes left.