GOLF ROUNDUP : Stockton Camps Happily in Senior Open Lead

Dave Stockton shot a five-under-par 66 Friday for a record 36-hole score and a three-stroke lead at the U.S. Senior Open at Bethlehem, Pa.

Stockton had no problem with the fast greens of the 6,700-yard Saucon Valley Country Club course. He made five birdies and has a two-day total of nine-under-par 133.

“It was like a walk in the park,” Stockton said.

He added that, on the advice of his psychologist: “my goal this week is not to win the U.S. Open but to control my emotions and be a happy camper. I’m a happy camper.”

The 36-hole Open record was 135 by Lee Trevino in 1990 at Ridgwood, N.J.

Gibby Gilbert was second at 136. Another stroke back were Simon Hobday, Jim Colbert and Al Geiberger. Defending champion Jack Nicklaus, with a second-round 68, joined Jack Kiefer and Charles Coody at 138.

Morris Hatalsky increased his lead to three shots with a five-under-par 66 in the second round of the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic at Williamsburg, Va. He was at 11-under-par 131 after a muggy day when temperatures hovered around 100 degrees at Kingsmill Golf Club.

Hatalsky’s 26 putts were six more than he took in his opening round. But his two-day total put him on track to challenge Kenny Knox’s tour record of 93 putts in a tournament.

Hatalsky has missed the cut in 10 of his previous 15 events this season and is 203rd on the money list with winnings of less than $12,000.

Peter Persons was one shot off the lead before bogeying his final two holes. He wound up with a three-under 68.

Denise Baldwin overcame a triple bogey on the first hole and shot a four-under-par 68 for a one-stroke lead in the weather-delayed LPGA’s Phar-Mor in Youngstown, Ohio, tournament.

Nancy Lopez, Meg Mallon, Brandie Burton and Amy Benz were one shot behind at 6,297-yard Squaw Creek Country Club.

Play was suspended because of rain with 50 golfers on the course.