Associated Press
Saturday, September 2

ADA, Mich. -- Larry Nelson fired a 3-under-par 69 Saturday to lead by a stroke going into the final round of the Senior PGA Tour's Foremost Insurance Championship.

Nelson, who won last week's FleetBoston Classic, had three birdies in the last five holes and moved to 9 under overall at the $1.1 million tournament at Egypt Valley Country Club.

Jim Thorpe and Dave Stockton were next at 8 under, with Chuck Moran another stroke back.

Al Geiberger and Mike Hill are at 6 under.

"There were about eight times today when I couldn't tell if a putt was going to go left or right," said Nelson, who is third on the Senior PGA Tour money list with more than $1.7 million.

"Some days you just hit it in the wrong place, but I am in much better shape this week than I was last week going into the third round."

Nelson, who never has won two straight senior tournaments, has played 19 straight sub-par rounds, matching Hale Irwin for the longest such streak on the tour this year.

Nelson will watch the scoreboard Sunday.

"I like to watch the scoreboard because it gives me an indication of how the golf is playing," said Nelson, who has three tour victories this season.

"That is the best kind of motivation for me."

Following a hot and humid opening round on Friday, the second round was delayed an hour by storms that softened the course.

"The greens were nice and soft for us, but they were still tough," said Thorpe, who shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday. "If I can get the putter going (Sunday), I can put some early pressure on Nelson."

Thorpe, who has not won since joining the senior tour last year, finished tied for second in this event in 1999.

"I think it can happen if I just relax and play golf," Thorpe said. "I'm playing well enough to win. I'd feel like one of the boys if I could get to the winner's circle."