Dougherty Is Still in Front

Rain softened the course and led to improved scores Friday in the U.S. Senior Open at West Des Moines, Iowa.

But no one improved enough to catch Ed Dougherty, who shot a three-under-par 69 and opened a three-stroke lead midway through the event.

Dougherty, who led by two strokes Thursday, is at seven-under 137.

Dave Eichelberger was alone in second at 140 after a 69 that included only one bogey. Leonard Thompson, Gil Morgan and Bob Duval are at 141.

Arnold Palmer shot an 84 after opening with an 81 and missed the cut in the Senior Open for the first time since 1991.

Hank Cooper, an insurance agent from Sanger, Texas, made a hole in one on the 172-yard, par-three third hole. He finished with a 74 to make the cut at 147.

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John Maginnes shot a seven-under 64 to take the second-round lead in the Greater Milwaukee Open.

Maginnes, with a two-day total of 130, holds a one-stroke lead over Jerry Kelly and Carlos Franco.

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At Glasgow, Scotland, defending champion Lee Westwood of England took a one-shot lead with a third-round 67 at the Loch Lomond tournament.

Westwood is at 12-under 201 going into today’s final round.

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Fred Couples and Steve Jones pulled out of the British Open, the latest American golfers to withdraw from next week’s tournament at Carnoustie in Scotland. Previous U.S. withdrawal notices came from John Daly, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Kite and American Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw. . . . Lisa Kiggens shot a six-under 66 to take the lead in the LPGA Michelob Light Classic at St. Louis. Kiggens, with a 135 total, is one stroke ahead of Tina Barrett, Thursday’s leader, and Nancy Scranton.