Furyk Splashes Way to a One-Shot Lead

The exercise of the year on the PGA Tour is “lift, clean and place,” thanks to soggy ground caused by rain.

“Lightning alert” and “play suspended” have turned up on more leader boards than David Duval and Fred Couples.

Jim Furyk shot an eight-under-par 63, one stroke off the Westchester Country Club course record, and held a one-shot lead over Kevin Sutherland on Saturday in the Buick Classic with a two-round total of nine-under 133 for 36 holes.

But for the second day, heavy rain prevented completion of the round, adding the event to the long list of tournaments to be plagued by weather.

This year, play at 12 tour events has been suspended or delayed because of the weather.

Buick Classic officials set as a goal getting in 54 holes.

Players got in less than six hours of golf Saturday between a 45-minute fog delay in the morning and a six-hour lightning and rain suspension in the afternoon. That left 26 golfers who had yet to complete their second round as play was called because of darkness.

They will try to complete the second round this morning.

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Isao Aoki shot a six-under 66 to give him an eight-stroke lead after the second round of the BellSouth Senior Classic at Nashville.

It tied the Senior PGA Tour record for the largest 36-hole lead.

Larry Nelson, who designed the Springhouse Golf Club course, shot a 68 and was tied at 136 with Hale Irwin (70) and John Jacobs (71). Gil Morgan (73) and Tom Jenkins (71) were at 137.

Only Irwin’s 16-under 126 in last year’s Vantage Championship is a better total after two rounds of a senior event than Aoki’s 128.

But Aoki said he doesn’t care about setting records, and he isn’t sure how he will play today. All he knows is that he is having fun.

“I enjoy playing golf,” the Japanese native said simply.

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Lisa Walters shot a seven-under 65 to build a five-stroke lead in the third round of the LPGA Oldsmobile Classic at Walnut Hills Country Club at East Lansing, Mich.

Walters, a native of Canada who lives in Tampa, Fla., was at 17-under 199 for the tournament, five shots better than Donna Andrews, who struggled with her putting and shot a 72 after a first-round 64.

Australian Karrie Webb shot a 69 and is the only other player within nine shots of the lead.