Nicklaus, Aoki Struggle Into Share of Lead : Senior golf: Neither is happy at the Tradition, but they’re one in front of Ferree, Colbert and Sigel.

With all the big names and all the great players, the Tradition is developing into a tight battle that it seems nobody wants to win.

Isao Aoki had two double bogeys, struggled to a par 72 Saturday over the rugged Cochise Course at Desert Mountain--and is tied with Jack Nicklaus for the lead after 54 holes with seven-under-par totals of 209.

Aoki wouldn’t talk after his round and Nicklaus, despite shooting a 69, could only moan about playing poorly for three consecutive rounds in the $1-million senior tour major.

Among those in contention are Jim Ferree, the old man of group; Jim Colbert and Jay Sigel, all at 210, only a shot behind. Another shot back is Gary Player, who keeps sinking shots from off the green just when it seems he’s going to fall out of contention.

Lee Trevino and defending champion Raymond Floyd, who are three and four shots, respectively, are poised to make a run. Under ordinary circumstances, Nicklaus would be odds-on to become a three-time winner of the Tradition. But at no time has he acted as though he was ready to take charge.

“I don’t know how in the world I’m tied for the lead in the tournament,” Nicklaus said after his 69. “I’m not happy with the way I’ve played any of the three days. If I had not been putting well, I wouldn’t be in it. I haven’t been hitting the ball well at all.

“Surprisingly, though, if a couple of putts that were dead on target had dropped, I would be leading by myself. I just need to work some more.

“Today, though they didn’t all drop, every putt I hit went just where I aimed it.”

Nicklaus, who has won seven senior events, has never lost one when he went into the final round on top.

The sentimental favorite is Ferree, 63, who has overcome serious physical problems to return to competitive major golf. He opened with a 67, faltered a bit to a 74 and came back with a 69.

He was about to rush off to catch his alma mater on TV in the NCAA tournament. Then he saw that Davis Love III was leading in the PGA Tour event in New Orleans. “Go North Carolina,” he yelled.

Aoki, who seems uncomfortable in the interview room anyway, went straight to the practice range.

Through an interpreter, he said, “It was an up-and-down round. I’m fortunate to be tied after the two double bogeys.”

On the par-three seventh hole, Aoki’s iron shot trickled into the water. On the par-four 14th, he drove into a waste area, barely pitched out, then hit a poor chip and needed a three-foot putt to save the six.

Of those one shot back, Colbert seemed as confident as ever. He followed his course-record 64 with a two-under 70.

“I didn’t putt as well or drive as well as I did yesterday,” he said, “but then it is very difficult to follow a great round with a good one. I’m happy with my position.”

Sigel is playing in only his second Tradition, but he’s learning all about the course.

“This was what I call a hang-in day,” he said. “I could have fallen out of it, but I didn’t. I missed a lot of putts, though that would have put me in good shape. But I like my chances tomorrow. This is not an easy course.”

The course was designed by Nicklaus, and it wasn’t meant to be easy. As Ferree, who would be the oldest to win a PGA event, put it, “Jack Nicklaus designed this course for Jack Nicklaus, not just any golfer.”