Fleisher Leads Irwin at Senior Open

Bruce Fleisher realizes he might be the underdog despite taking a two-stroke lead into the final round of the U.S. Senior Open at Bethlehem, Pa.

That’s because Fleisher, seeking his 11th senior tour victory in two years, is trying to hold off the fast-charging Hale Irwin, a three-time U.S. Open winner.

“I’m a newcomer who was a journeyman on the regular tour,” Fleisher said after shooting a four-under-par 67 on Saturday. “I’ve had incredible success since joining the senior tour, but Hale Irwin has been there before.”

Fleisher, who missed the cut in last year’s tournament, birdied four of the first six holes, but walked away disappointed after bogeying No. 18 for a 13-under 200 total.

“It was a good round, but I ended on a sour note,” he said. “I’m going to go out, smile some, cry a little bit and try my hardest.”

Tom Kite, who shot a 66, trails Fleisher by three at 203. Hubert Green shot a 69 and is fourth at 204. Allen Doyle’s 67 got him to within five at 205. Jim Thorpe, who entered the day one stroke back of Fleisher, fell six behind after shooting a 72.

Fleisher, who had one victory on the regular tour in 27 years, favors Irwin in the final round at Saucon Valley Country Club.

“I like his chances,” Fleisher said. “Hale Irwin has nothing to prove whatsoever.”

Irwin already proved he’s the better dancer after sharing a jig with Isao Aoki on the 13th hole after Aoki’s eagle. Irwin joined Aoki as the two held their hands in the air and pranced around much to the crowd’s delight.

Irwin, who has 55 victories worldwide, also likes his chances.

“I think I’m in great position,” he said after shooting a 65. “I don’t have the weight of the world on my shoulders like he does. Although I would trade him positions.”

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Mark Calcavecchia, looking for his first victory in two years, shot a six-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead in the Greater Hartford Open at Cromwell, Conn.

Calcavecchia had a 17-under 193 total to break the 54-hole tournament record of 195 set last year by defending champion Brent Geiberger.

“I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t a little nervous out there. And I’ll be a little nervous tomorrow,” said Calcavecchia, the 1989 British Open champion.

“But I’ve won tournaments before. Three shots is better than two, better than one and better than being behind.”

Second-round co-leader Notah Begay struggled early in the round but finished with a 67 for sole possession of second place at 14 under. Kirk Triplett broke the course record with a nine-under 61 to move into a third-place tie with Edward Fryatt at 13 under.

Calcavecchia birdied the first two holes, then ran off a string birdies on Nos. 6-8.

His only stumble was on the par-four 17th. He tried to hit an easy seven-iron on his approach but pushed it right of the green. The ball landed on the back slope of the fringe, leading to a bogey.

“I should have hit a hard eight-iron,” Calcavecchia said. “But when you’re trying to win a golf tournament, you’ve got a little adrenaline going and I pushed it way right. But that pin was staring me right there in the face. It was probably the worst iron shot I hit all week.”

Begay, coming off a victory last week in the St. Jude Classic at Memphis, Tenn., made his only two bogeys on the front nine and lost ground early to Calcavecchia.

“Mark came out of the gates just overwhelmingly strong. If I were a rookie, I probably would have gotten flustered and tried to do something I didn’t need to do,” said Begay. “Instead I just stayed patient.”

Triplett’s 61 broke the mark of 62 on the 6,820-yard TPC at River Highlands shared by five players. He started the day four under and seven strokes behind Calcavecchia and Begay.

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Janice Moodie of Scotland birdied two of the last three holes for a three-under 68 and a two-stroke lead over fast-closing Juli Inkster and four others after the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Absecon, N.J.

Moodie, 27, had six birdies and three bogeys to finish at eight-under 134.

Inkster, who won the LPGA Championship last Sunday, birdied five of the final seven holes en route to a 66 that put here at six-under 136 along with Maria Hjorth (63), Jackie Gallagher-Smith (70), Dina Ammaccapane (66) and Vickie Odegard (67).