Henninger Moves Into Lead With 64

Brian Henninger has learned not to judge a day by its start.

Forced to complete his second round of the John Deere Classic on Saturday after weather delayed play Friday, Henninger gathered himself for a six-under-par 64 in the afternoon for a three-stroke lead heading into the final round at Coal Valley, Ill.

“I didn’t feel too great starting off,” said Henninger, who was one of 30 players who came back Saturday morning after thunderstorms suspended play Friday.

He played his last two holes in par for a 63, then pulled away from Mike Brisky, the 36-hole leader, in the third round. J.L. Lewis and Robert Damron, who each shot 65, were tied with Brisky (68) at three back.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this position,” said Henninger, whose only Tour victory was in 1994. “If I can enjoy myself tomorrow and stay patient, I’ll win the tournament.”

He tied the tournament’s 54-hole record of 193 set by Blaine McCallister in 1987. The 72-hole record is 21 under by David Frost in 1993.

Henninger dropped three strokes behind Brisky with a bogey at the par-four fourth hole, then strung together three birdies and an eagle over a five-hole stretch beginning at the par-four seventh, where he made a three-foot putt for birdie.

Henninger got within two strokes of Brisky with a short birdie putt at the par-four ninth and tied for the lead by holing a chip from behind the green for eagle at the par-five 10th.

Birdies at Nos. 11 and 13 got him to 16 under and he capped his round with a birdie at the 15th.

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Hale Irwin shot a 68 and held a one-stroke lead over fast-closing David Graham after two rounds of the Burnet Senior Classic at Coon Rapids, Minn.

Irwin led by six strokes after 15 holes, but bogeyed two of the last three. Graham, meanwhile, birdied three of the last four holes for a 68 that left him at 11-under 133 for two rounds over the 7,030-yard Bunker Hills Golf Club course.

*

Marnie McGuire shot a seven-under 65 to take the lead after the second round of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Howland, Ohio.

The New Zealander was 11 under overall, one stroke ahead of Jackie Gallagher-Smith, Missie McGeorge and Michele Redman.

McGuire shot a six-under 30 on the back nine of the 6,308-yard, par-72 Avalon Lakes Golf Course, tying a tournament record.

*

Bob Charles of New Zealand shot a five-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Christy O’Connor Jr. of Ireland after three rounds of the British Seniors Open at Portrush, Northern Ireland.

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In Front

Scores after Saturday’s play (Complete list, Page 12):

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC--Par 72

B. Henninger 66-63-64--193 -17

J.L. Lewis 66-65-65--196 -14

R. Damron 64-67-65--196 -14

Mike Brisky 66-62-68--196 -14

****

SENIOR CLASSIC--Par 72

Hale Irwin 64-68--132 -12

David Graham 65-68--133 -11

Gil Morgan 71-65--136 -8

Bob Eastwood 71-65--136 -8

Frank Conner 69-67--136 -8

Jim Dent 66-70--136 -8

Jim Colbert 65-71--136 -8

****

LPGA CLASSIC--Par 72

M. McGuire 68-65--133 -11

M. McGeorge 67-67--134 -10

M. Redman 67-67--134 -10

J. Gallagher-Smith 66-68--134 -10