Allen holds two-shot lead at U.S. Senior Open

Allen holds two-shot lead at U.S. Senior Open

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July 13, 2013 9:27 PM


(Reuters) - American Michael Allen withstood four bogeys on the back nine to cling to a two-stroke lead over surging compatriots Kenny Perry and Fred Funk after three rounds of the U.S. Senior Open in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday.

Allen, who seized a record five-shot lead after a brilliant seven-under-par 63 at Omaha Country Club on Friday, was 10 under par and still leading by five at the turn on another hot day at the hilly layout.

Back-to-back bogeys from the 10th were balanced by birdies at 13 and 14, but bogeys at 16 and 18 put Allen at two-over 72 for the day for a total of eight-under-par 202.

At the par-three 16th Allen did not get up and down from the greenside bunker, and a wayward drive at the last sent him on his way to a closing bogey.

"Today I had a few more bads than goods," said Allen. "But it's fun. It's nice to be in the lead."

Perry closed strong with birdies at 16 and 17 for a six-under 64 that put him on 204 along with Funk, who birdied the last two holes for 67.

"I played unbelievable today," said Perry, who two weeks ago won the Senior Players Championship. "I hit every fairway, green. It was an easy six-under. It was just stress-free."

Perry began the round 10 shots off the lead.


"I went from the outhouse to the penthouse," he said about a round aided by greens softened from watering to combat the extreme heat.

Funk, winner of the 2009 championship at Crooked Stick, sank a 35-foot birdie at the last to tie for second with Perry.

Two more strokes adrift was 1995 U.S. Open winner Corey Pavin, who posted bogey-free 64 for 206, one stroke better than fellow-American Rocco Mediate, who carded a 72.

"I think there was a few more accessible pins today so I think it played probably a little easier with the pin placements," said Pavin.

Ten players were tied on two-under-par 208 including Mark O'Meara (70), Tom Lehman (70), Steve Pate (67) and Taiwan's Lu Chien-soon (65).

Sounding more like a weekend golfer than an accomplished pro, Pavin said he was still grappling with the same things with his swing.

"I've been working on trying to get the club more inside," noted Pavin.

"I've been doing that for about 40 years now and I'm still working on it."

(Reporting by Larry Fine; Editing by Gene Cherry/Greg Stutchbury)

Summerhays fires 62 for lead, Johnson lurking

Summerhays fires 62 for lead, Johnson lurking

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July 13, 2013 9:28 PM


(Reuters) - American Daniel Summerhays fired a nine-under-par 62 to grab a two-stroke lead over Canadian David Hearn heading into Sunday's final round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Defending champion Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner and overnight co-leader, was lurking just off the pace another shot back at 16-under-par 197 after posting 67 at TPC Deere Run in the third round on Saturday.

Summerhays, looking for his first PGA Tour win, had 10 birdies against a lone bogey in ideal scoring conditions, using a string of three in a row from the 15th hole to vault to the top of the leaderboard.

"I think when I'm playing well the mentality is make as many birdies as you can," Summerhays told reporters.

"I'm really looking forward to (Sunday). I'm playing really well."


Hearn, also seeking his maiden tour victory, posted eight birdies and one bogey in his 64, running off three successive birdies over the same stretch of holes from 15.

Tied for fourth on 198 were Americans J.J. Henry (65) and Jerry Kelly (66).

Australian Matt Jones and Americans Nicholas Thompson and Chris Kirk were another shot back. Two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion Jordan Spieth, 19, was among three players on 200, six shots off the pace after three rounds.

Summerhays blew a two-shot lead during the final round of last year's Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico but said he was more relaxed this time.

"I know there's going to be obstacles and challenges, as there always are," he said.

"There are always things that stand in your way. But I'm just excited to see what those are and deal with them."

Johnson sank not one but two massive putts on Saturday, a 60-foot eagle putt on the par-five second hole then a 42-foot birdie putt on the par-four 14th, to surge into contention.

"I certainly think there were a lot more positives out there than negatives," Johnson said. "My putter has been great. Even the ones I've missed have been great."

(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Gene Cherry/Greg Stutchbury)