The Kid Finds His Game Among His Elders : Seniors: Nicklaus, on hard times all year, gets a lesson and shoots 67 to lead his first over-50 event.

The youngest player on the Senior PGA Tour is also the strongest.

Jack Nicklaus, hitting skyrockets with his long irons, took charge of The Tradition tournament Saturday. Playing the four par-5s at five under par, Nicklaus shot a five-under-par 67 on the Cochise course at Desert Mountain to vault into the lead with 138 for 36 holes.

By sinking a 30-foot chip from the fringe for an eagle on the par-5 18th, Nicklaus took a two-shot lead over Phil Rodgers, Bruce Crampton and Gary Player.

“Yesterday, when I was in here, I said it was possible, but unlikely that Jack would ever win on the regular tour again,” Player told the media.

“After watching him hit those soaring one- and two-irons that floated down on the green like butterflies, let me amend that. It is most likely he will.”

Nicklaus said it had been so long since he played as well from tee to green, he couldn’t remember. Had he putted well he would have blown away the opposition. But he missed four or five putts. On his three birdies, he two-putted after reaching par fives in two shots.

“Actually, a 12-foot putt I made on 16 to save par was the turning point up here,” Nicklaus said, pointing to his head. “I made another nice putt on 17 to save par again. Until those, it was frustrating. I hit the ball well and couldn’t score.”

Nicklaus gave credit for the turnaround to Jim Flick, a teaching pro who works for Lyle Anderson, the developer of the Desert Mountain complex. Last year at this tournament, Flick worked with 28 different pros, trying to help them with their problems.

When Nicklaus arrived Tuesday, he was concerned about his game. He had been working hard with no results. He asked Flick if he knew what was wrong. Flick did.

“I had watched Jack, under the wing of Jack Grout all these years,” Flick said, “and I noticed he wasn’t swinging the way he used to. Basically, I just changed his aim. He was aiming right. We opened his stance a little. Also, we made his feet control his swing instead of his hips.”

Before his second round after just four days with Flick, Nicklaus confided to his new mentor, “I think I can still play this game.”

After Friday’s round, Flick helped him with chip shots out of the heavy grass around the greens.

“He wanted me to make a quicker swing and had me move down on the shaft,” Nicklaus said. “It worked. I made two good ones, including the one that went in the hole on 18.”

Player, who shot a 69 Saturday, mostly because of some outstanding putting, admitted he was in awe of Nicklaus’ performance.

“We’ve played together many times, “ he said, “and I’ve beat him quite a few times. I don’t remember being in awe before.

“I was impressed with everything about him on the course. I was around when the crowds didn’t treat him very well, but his behavior has always been great. I made some pretty good shots today, and there was Jack out on the fairway clapping his hands.

“I think he was a little nervous (Friday). Don’t forget, he has nothing to gain out here, but a lot to lose.”

Nicklaus wasn’t ready to claim victory in his first senior event.

“It has been a long time since I’ve even been in contention in the last round,” he said. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll learn something. If I play well, I’ll be confident going into the Masters next week. If I don’t, I’ll know what went wrong and I’ll be able to correct it.

“I owe a lot to Jim Flick. He didn’t say anything until I asked him. I appreciate that. I think I’ll send my sons out here and he can help them.”

While Nicklaus and Player are doing well, Lee Trevino, hot on the senior tour until this week, isn’t. He birdied 18 to shoot a par 72 and is at 147, nine strokes behind.

“It’s too cold for me,” Trevino said. “Actually, two bad holes (the third and fourth when he lost three shots to par) yesterday took me out of it.

“Of course, I knew I wouldn’t win all the time.”