GOLF ROUNDUP : Tim Simpson Follows Two 64s With a 65, Leads Disney by Six

Tim Simpson “cooled off” to a 65 but increased his lead to six strokes in the Disney Golf Classic with a record-tying, three-round total of 23-under-par 193 Friday at Orlando, Fla.

Still, he said he could have done even better than his eight birdies and a bogey over the rough greens of the 6,967-yard, par-72 Palm Course.

“I had it going at the flag all day and left at least four or five putts hanging on the lip of the hole or a few inches short,” said the garrulous Simpson, a 13-year PGA Tour veteran with three victories.

Struggling unsuccessfully to make up some ground were Davis Love III and Payne Stewart, who were six shots back at 199.

Stewart had the lowest round of the day, a 61 that was a course record for the 7,190-yard Magnolia course. It also ties the tournament low score.

Love had a 66 on the Magnolia.

Paul Azinger, who began the day four shots behind Simpson, shot a 68 for 200, losing three shots to the leader. Also at 200 is Gene Sauers, who had a 67.

Stewart’s hot round was due primarily to his putter. He sank birdie putts ranging from six to 25 feet. He also made an 18-foot putt for an eagle on the par-5 No. 4.

Simpson, the defending Disney champion but winless this year, has put together rounds of 64, 64 and 65, putting him into position to go for the PGA scoring record of 257 for 72 holes. He would need a 63 to break the mark set by Mike Souchak in the 1955 Texas Open.

Jim Dent shot a five-under-par 67 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the $500,000 Transamerica Senior tournament at Napa, Calif.

J.C. Snead, who turned 50 Sunday and is playing in his first Senior Tour event, is among eight players tied for third at 70.