Associated Press
Saturday, September 16

MASON, Ohio -- Larry Nelson birdied four of the final five holes Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion Gil Morgan after the second round of the Kroger Senior Classic.

Nelson, who shot a 58 during Thursday's pro-am, bogeyed the 15th, but rebounded for three straight birdies to finish his round with a 64, the lowest score of the tournament, and a two-round total of 134.

"Shooting a 64 today was a lot harder than a 58 Thursday because of the conditions," Nelson said. "It was a lot more of a thinking round today."

Nelson, who started the second round at even-par, was surprised to be in the lead at the end of the day.

"I was four shots back to start today and all I was looking to do was to get within two or three shots of the lead going into tomorrow," he said.

The same holes where Nelson made his move caused Morgan trouble as he bogeyed three of the final five holes.

Morgan blamed the course for his struggles.

"I really think they let the golf course get away from them today," he said. "It was inconsistent in terms of the firmness. And I wasn't playing well on top of that."

Hubert Green, whose even-par round put him in third place at 4-under, two back of the Nelson, had different thoughts about the course.

"This is the first time this year we've had a course that has played fast and firm," Green said. "It was very fair. I loved it."

Four golfers are tied for fourth place at 3-under. Bruce Summerhays, Allen Doyle, Bruce Fleisher and John Mahaffey shot 66s after starting the day at 1-over-par.

The 18th hole was typical of the way the back nine went for Nelson and Morgan.

Using his four-wood, Nelson put his second shot in the rough off the back of the green. Rather than risk hitting the ball too hard onto the firm green, Nelson used his putter to get the ball within 8 feet before sinking the birdie putt.

"At that point, I wish I had more holes to play," said Nelson, a four-time winner on the Senior PGA Tour this year.

Morgan, who has three wins this season, including the Comfort Classic last weekend in Indianapolis, hit his drive on 18 into the left rough. Using a two-wood on his second shot, Morgan topped the ball and just missed going into the water 25 yards ahead of him.

"The ball was below my feet and I was really afraid of hitting it heavy," Morgan said. "Instead I hit the top half of it. I probably should have laid up."

Morgan's third shot sailed over the green and he had to be given relief from the green-side bleachers. He then two-putted for a bogey.

With the course playing the way it is, Morgan doesn't think anyone will charge up through the field like he did last year on the final day with a 63.

"Not many people made a move forward today, and that's because the course is so severe," he said.

Just 14 golfers are under-par entering the final round Sunday.

Nelson tied for 16th last year in the Kroger Senior Classic. He said the difference for him this year is that he has been able to read the greens better.

The tournament is being played at the Golf Center at Kings Island.