GOLF / SENIORS AT LAS VEGAS : Gilbert Makes Putts and Leads by Three

Kermit Zarley, the opening-round sensation, couldn’t putt and Gibby Gilbert could Saturday at Desert Inn & Country Club.

So, after 36 holes of the $700,000 Las Vegas Classic over the 6,810-yard course, Gilbert leads by three shots after shooting a nine-under-par 63 for a two-round total of 133, 11 under par.

Zarley, who needed only 14 putts on the first 11 holes Friday on his way to a 62, missed numerous birdie opportunities, soared to a two-over 74 and is at 136.

While falling into a tie for second with Tom Wargo, Zarley used 19 putts in shooting a 38 on the front nine. Wargo, trying to settle down after two hectic weeks that followed his surprise victory in the Senior PGA, shot a bogey-free 66.

Four players are at seven under: Jimmy Powell, Bob Charles, Mike Hill, and Larry Ziegler, who had a hole in one. Hill had five birdies on the back nine in his round of 69.

Gilbert didn’t know whether he could swing a club two hours before he was scheduled to tee off Friday morning. He suffered a wrist injury and only the diligence of Rob Mottram of the Centinela Hospital Fitness Center enabled Gilbert to play at all.

“It was some kind of freak injury suffered Wednesday night and I had to withdraw from the pro-am after nine holes Thursday,” Gilbert said.

“What happened was one of the eight bones behind my right wrist popped out. Rob popped it back in and said it would be sore for a few days. He taped it, and after some adjustments, I was able to swing the club.

“Actually, it may have helped me. It restricts my swing. Although it feels like I’m coming over the top, I’m hitting the ball beautifully.”

What it doesn’t explain is why Gilbert’s putting came around. Faulty putting was the main reason Gilbert, a winner of three senior events last year, had finished 50th, 40th, 26th and 36th in his previous four tournaments.

But on a near-perfect day with little wind, his putting touch returned. A 12-footer for an eagle on the 506-yard, par-five first hole restored Gilbert’s faith in his putter. He also made putts of 18 feet, 12, 14 and a 15-footer on 18 that increased his lead to three shots.

“The turn in my luck began last night at the blackjack table,” Gilbert said. “I never win when I come here. But I did last night and I’m taking it with me.”

Zarley is an example of how quickly putting touch can disappear. He began the day with a four-shot lead and it was gone in six holes.

“From brilliant putting, I reverted to the poor putting that has held me back since I returned to competition,” Zarley said. “I continued to hit the ball well, but the longest putt I made all day was a seven-footer to save par on 15. I had many chances for birdies, but I just didn’t hit the ball straight with my putter.

“It was frustrating. I guess I’m lucky I’m not farther behind.”

Ziegler made his hole-in-one on the toughest of the four par threes. The 11th hole is 201 yards and the pin was in the back right corner.

“I hit a three-iron just hoping to get on and get a par,” said Ziegler, who earned $2,000 for the ace. “The ball hit 25 feet below the hole and rolled right up, hit the pin and dropped in. That’s a good cure for putting problems.”

Wargo, out to prove his first senior victory was not a fluke, had a gallery of 25 people from his home in Centralia, Ill.

“I don’t know whether they came to see me or gamble,” he said, “but it’s nice to have them cheering for me.”

Defending champion Lee Trevino shot a 72 for a 148 total, giving him no chance to repeat. Afterward, he said to his large gallery, “Well, about the only good thing about following me for four hours was it saved you money.”

Golf Notes

Miller Barber, who quit after two rounds last week in the wind in Texas, clinched the Vantage Classic by making an 18-foot putt on the last hole. With a 142 total for the 36-hole event within the tournament, Barber earned $14,000. He finished two shots ahead of Gay Brewer in the event for the 60-and-older group. “I had to survive a lot of problems, including a shot that stayed in a tree,” Barber said, “But when that last putt dropped, I felt like it was all worthwhile.”