Glasson Shoots a 65, but It’s Not Enough as Funk Holds Lead

Fred Funk wasn’t buying anything Bill Glasson was trying to sell Saturday.

Funk, seeking a wire-to-wire victory on one of his favorite courses, shot a four-under-par 68 for a one-stroke lead over Glasson in the $1.5-million Buick Challenge at Pine Mountain, Ga.

Glasson fired his second consecutive 65 for a 17-under 199 total to stay close to Funk, the 1995 winner and 1996 runner-up.

Glasson conceded it would be tough to catch Funk, a 10-year tour veteran.

“It’s like Fred and the rest of us, Glasson said. “I think we’re all just playing to see who gets second place.

“I don’t think anybody can catch Fred. He’s so at home here. It’s like his home field and the rest of us are on the road.”

Funk, who opened with rounds of 63 and 67 on the 7,057-yard Mountain View course at the Callaway Gardens resort, isn’t listening.

“No, I don’t think he’s conceding,” Funk said of Glasson. “It’s definitely a smoke screen.

“I would have liked to have had a bigger separation. You can’t have a big enough lead. Bill can say that, but deep down all those guys that are even at 12-13 under believe they have a chance.”

J.L. Lewis was three strokes back after shooting a 66.

Steve Elkington, also with a 66, and rookie-of-the-year contender Steve Flesch were next at 202. Flesch, who was second, three strokes behind Funk entering Saturday’s play, had a 69.

Neil Lancaster and Jim Carter, who was the opening round co-leader with Funk, were at 203. Lancaster had a 66 and Carter a 69.

Leading money-winner David Duval was six shots behind Funk at 204 after a 70, tied with D.A. Weibring, who had a 71.

Funk, 30th on the money list with $825,000, led by three strokes entering the day and after 12 holes led by four over Glasson, who closed the gap with birdies on Nos. 14-16.

“I made the seven birdies, but I made some boo-boos too,” said Funk, who held the lead despite a bogey on No. 16 and pars on his last two holes.

Glasson, beset by medical problems the last few years, is making only his 10th start of the year. He has made the cut in seven and earned $238,131--111th on the money list--with a tie for fifth in the Bell South Classic his best effort.

Glasson, who has won seven titles and more than $4.4 million, had an eagle on the par-five, 508-yard second hole and added five birdies in his round in pursuit of the $270,000 first prize.

Funk, who has five tour victories, including the Deposit Guaranty Classic this year, considered withdrawing before Thursday’s opening round when his back stiffened, but after being worked on by a physical therapist, his back has not bothered him since.

The field has 19 of the top 30 money-winners, including Vijay Singh, the PGA champion, and defending champion Davis Love III. Both shot 70s and were at 209. Hal Sutton, who won the Texas Open last week, opened with a par 72 before a 66 Friday and a 67 Saturday for a 205 total.

*

Jerry McGee shot a seven-under 63 to take a three-stroke lead over defending champion Hale Irwin and Joe Inman after the second round of the Vantage Championship at Clemmons, N.C.

McGee, 55, matched the Tanglewood Park course record set by Dave Stockton in 1994. He birdied five of the first 10 holes and closed with an eagle on the par-five 18th--the only time he used a driver in the bogey-free round.

“It was a gratifying round,” said McGee, who attributes his year-long struggles to an erratic driver. “I made up my mind this week to play my own game. You can see the results.”

Irwin, who leads the Senior PGA Tour with six victories and record earnings of $2,367,420, shot a 65 to join Inman at eight-under 132. Inman had a 66. Gil Morgan, a five-time winner who is second on the money list with $1,678,447, shot a 67 to join Allen Doyle (65) and Ray Floyd (69) at 133.

The 63 was the low round of the year for the McGee, whose best finishes are a pair of ties for 12th. He is 56th on the money list.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

In Front

Leaders on the major tours after Saturday’s play (Complete scores, C18):

$1.5-MILLION BUICK CHALLENGE--Par 72

Fred Funk: 63-67-68--198 (-18)

Bill Glasson: 69-65-65--199 (-17)

J.L. Lewis: 66-69-66--201 (-15)

S. Elkington: 66-70-66--202 (-14)

Steve Flesch: 67-66-69--202 (-14)

*

$1.5-MILLION VANTAGE CHAMPIONSHIP--Par 70

Jerry McGee: 66-63--129 (-11)

Hale Irwin: 67-65--132 (-8)

Joe Inman: 66-66--132 (-8)

Allen Doyle: 68-65--133 (-7)

Gil Morgan: 66-67--133 (-7)

Ray Floyd: 64-69--133 (-7)