Watson’s 66 Earns Him More Attention

Tom Watson not only showed up for the second major on the senior tour, he’s threatening to win it.

Watson, who was criticized for skipping this year’s first senior major to play in a regular-tour event, birdied the final five holes Saturday to move into a three-way tie for the lead after three rounds of the Senior PGA Championship at Paramus, N.J.

“Am I the man to beat? No!” said Watson, who shot a six-under-par 66 and made a 45-foot birdie putt on the final hole. “There are several people up there that are the people to beat and I am one of them. If I do the right things, I think I’ll have a pretty good chance, but you never know.”

Jim Thorpe, the leader after the first two rounds, birdied the final hole to complete a 71 that left him tied with Watson and Bob Gilder, who shot 70, at nine under par.

Allen Doyle, who won this event two years ago, was a shot behind the leaders after a 68.

Among the contenders, Watson might be the most motivated. Not only does he want to show up those who criticized him for skipping the Tradition earlier this year, winning this event would give him a grand slam of sorts.

Watson has won five British Opens, two Masters and one U.S. Open. He has never won a PGA on the regular tour or the senior tour.

“This particular tournament, because it’s the PGA, that means a heck of a lot to me,” said Watson, whose best finish in seven events this year is a tie for second.

Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player had one-under 71s and are seven shots off the lead.

Heavy rain forced the postponement of the third round of the Kemper Insurance Open at Potomac, Md. Tournament officials are hoping the final two rounds can be played today.

Bradley Hughes leads by one shot over Lee Porter and Frank Lickliter. Phil Mickelson is two shots back, tied with four others.

About 30 golfers completed the suspended second round during a break in the weather Saturday.

Maria Hjorth shot a tournament record-tying 63 to move within one shot of leader Mhairi McKay after three rounds of the LPGA Corning Classic at Corning, N.Y.

McKay, who entered the round at 10 under, was at 202 after her third round in the 60s.

Hjorth tied tournament records for low score and most birdies, notching 10. The low score was set by Patty Sheehan on the fourth round in 1983 and equaled by Sherri Turner in 1988 on the second round.

Despite their positions atop the leaderboard, McKay and Hjorth had plenty of company--a dozen players were within six shots of the lead.

Carin Koch, another Swede, was alone in third at 12 under after a 69. Dottie Pepper list, had a 66 and was tied at 206 with Laura Diaz and Grace Park.

Kellee Booth of Rancho Santa Margarita, who was only a shot off the first-round lead, had a 73 and finished the day at 211, nine strokes behind McKay.