Brisky Moves Into Lead With Aid of Fourth Ace

Mike Brisky parlayed the fourth hole in one of his PGA Tour career into a three-stroke lead after Friday’s weather-interrupted second round of the John Deere Classic at Coal Valley, Ill.

Brisky, a sixth-year touring pro, aced the 161-yard, par-three eighth hole with a seven-iron en route to an eight-under-par 62 and, at 12-under 128, held a three-shot lead over Brett Quigley, J. L. Lewis and Robert Damron, who shared the first-round lead with Joe Ogilvie and Kenny Perry.

Quigley carded a 66 Friday, Lewis shot a 65 and Damron finished with a 67. Quigley, Brisky and Lewis are 143rd, 151st and 155th, respectively, on the money list.

Friday’s round was suspended by thunder, lightning and heavy rain for 1 hour 43 minutes, then was halted when two weather systems reportedly were converging on the area late in the afternoon. Seventy-three players still on the course will complete their rounds today before the cut is made.

Among those still on the course was Brian Henninger, who birdied the seventh hole just before play was suspended, to go to 11 under for the tournament.

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Hale Irwin birdied five of the first six holes and tied a course record with an eight-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Senior PGA Tour’s Burnet Classic at Coon Rapids, Minn.

Jim Colbert and David Graham, each seeking their first victories of the year, had season-low rounds of 65 that featured seven birdies and no bogeys.

Irwin, who has won four of his last seven senior tournaments, also had a bogey-free round in becoming the fifth player to post a 64 in the seven-year history of the event at Bunker Hills golf course.

“I had an extremely good start to my round, then I just settled into a nice routine,” Irwin said. “I kept my mistakes to a minimum. I did miss a couple of birdie putts, but eight birdies is still a pretty good round. I was under control and didn’t put myself in trouble. I try not to beat myself.”

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Marta Figueras-Dotti and Jackie Gallagher-Smith shot six-under 66s to tie for the first-round lead of the LPGA Giant Eagle Classic at Howland, Ohio.

Eight players were at 67, another eight were at 68, and defending champion Se Ri Pak was in a group of 17 at three-under 69.

Figueras-Dotti and Gallagher-Smith played similar rounds, each with birdies on Nos. 3, 5, 9, 17 and 18. Figueras-Dotti bogeyed the 384-yard, par-four second hole but also made birdie on Nos. 4 and 6.

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David Oakley shot a one-under 71 to take a two-stroke lead over Stewart Ginn of Australia after two rounds of the British Seniors Open at Portrush, Northern Ireland.

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In Front

Scores after Friday’s play (Complete list, Page 10):

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC--Par 72

Mike Brisky 66-62--128 -12

Brett Quigley 65-66--131 -9

J.L. Lewis 66-65--131 -9

Note: 73 players were unable to complete the second round because of rain delays. They will complete the round this morning.

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SENIOR CLASSIC--Par 72

Hale Irwin 30-34--64 -8

David Graham 32-33--65 -7

Jim Colbert 34-31--65 -7

Jim Dent 35-31--66 -6

****

LPGA CLASSIC--Par 72

Marta Figueras-Dotti 32-34--66 -6

Jackie Gallagher-Smith 33-33--66 -6

8 players tied at -5