GOLF ROUNDUP : Nicklaus, Norman Wait for a Complete Round

Jack Nicklaus and defending champion Greg Norman have an overnight wait to see if they will advance into today’s third round of the storm-delayed International tournament at Castle Rock, Colo.

Norman and Nicklaus each finished with three points moments before darkness halted second-round play Friday night on the Castle Pines Golf Club course.

A three-hour rain and lightning delay left 32 players stranded on the course. They are scheduled to complete the round this morning. Some have as many as six holes to play.

Until all players are finished, the qualifying score to make it into the third round will not be known.

Medal scores do not count in this event. Points are awarded on the player’s performance on each hole: 5 for eagle, 2 for birdie, 0 for par, -1 for bogey and -3 for double bogey or higher.

It appeared a score of three points would be necessary to make it into a playoff for the final qualifying spots.

After the completion of 36 holes, the 144-man field will be cut to the 72 players with the highest point totals. Those 72 then will compete for 24 places in Sunday’s final round.

Norman had to make a last-gasp rally to have any chance at all. He birdied both the 16th and 17th holes, but missed a 15-foot putt on the 18th for the birdie that would have secured a spot in the third round.

Nicklaus, who designed the course in the eastern foothills of the Rockies, missed an even shorter birdie putt on the 18th, from about six feet.

Mark Calcavecchia, among the group stranded on the course, held a one-point lead with one hole to go. He had 21 points.

Eduardo Romero of Argentina was the leader in the clubhouse with 20 points, 11 of which he accumulated in Friday’s action.

Steve Elkington of Australia was next at 19 points.

Rives McBee set a tournament record with an eight-under 64 in the first round of the Senior Showdown tournament at Jeremy Ranch, Utah.

McBee shot 32-32 on the 7,103-yard mountain course, highlighted by an eagle on the first hole when he chipped in with a wedge.

Don Bies and Mike Hill were tied at 66, one stroke in front of Phil Rogers, Lee Trevino, and George Archer. Bob Betley and John Paul Cain were at 68.

Tammie Green shot a three-under-par 69 for a 36-hole total of 137 and maintained her one-stroke lead at the LPGA Big Apple tournament at New Rochelle, N.Y.

“I have never led after two rounds,” Green said. “My game is good enough to stay there so now it’s a matter of proving it.”

Green will have to prove against a formidable field.

Rosie Jones was second after shooting a 69 for 138.

Dawn Coe and Daniel shot 70s, and were tied for third at 140 with Marci Bozarth and Danielle Ammaccapane, who each had 71.

Dottie Mochrie’s 69 gave her a 141, followed by Betsy King, Kristi Albers, Jan Stephenson, Cathy Morse, Cindy Schreyer and Kris Monaghan at 142.