GOLF ROUNDUP : Nelson Has 9-Under-Par Round in Japan

Larry Nelson had an eagle and seven birdies for a 9-under-par 63 today and a share of the lead with defending champion Larry Mize after the second round of the $1.54-million Dunlop Phoenix, Japan’s richest tournament.

Nelson and Mize, who had eight birdies and a bogey in a round of 65, have a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman with 10-under 134 totals after two rounds on the 6,993-yard, par-72 Phoenix Country Club course.

“You can never shoot a 63 without putting well, but even though I’ve putted better in the past I’ve never chipped so well,” Nelson said.

“This tournament is very important to me. Outside the four majors this is the one I want to win.”

Nelson was one stroke away from tying the course record of 62 set in 1989 by fellow American Fred Couples.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Mize said, “I drove the ball well, hit my irons solidly and putted well. I hope I can do more of the same for the final two rounds.”

Japan’s Tsukasa Watanabe was fourth at 137 and Scott Simpson fifth at 138.

First-round leader David Ishii shot a 2-over 74 that left him tied for sixth at 139 with two-time champion Seve Ballesteros, Mike Reid, Craig Stadler and Japan’s Naomichi (Joe) Ozaki. Ballesteros moved into contention with a 68.

Also within distance of the leaders at 140 were former champion Tom Watson and Graham Marsh of Australia.

J.C.Snead and Hsu Chi-san of Taiwan shot 5-under-par 67s to share the lead after the first round of the Ben Hogan Senior Cup golf tournament at Moroyamamachi, Japan--.

Snead, who joined the senior tour in October, three-putted for a bogey on the first hole but picked up an eagle on the next. He had six birdies, including three straight from the 15th hole, on the 6,738-yard, par-72 Edelweiss golf club course, northeast of Tokyo.

“I three-putted three times today,” Snead said. “The greens were very difficult, but my iron shots were very good.”

Orville Moody is one stroke back at 68.