They’re Trying to Stay Within Hailing Distance

Unless Hale Irwin continues to pull away from the field, Larry Nelson and Don Pooley figure to be among those in contention to win the $1.5-million Toshiba Senior Classic today at Newport Beach Country Club.

Nelson shot a 64 in the second round and is tied for second with Allen Doyle and Gil Morgan at eight-under 134. That group is three strokes behind Irwin, who also shot a 64. Irwin’s 36-hole total is 131.

Pooley, after a 65, is at 135 along with Michael Zinni (66) and Walter Hall (67).

Irwin had six of his eight birdies after what he called a “miracle par” on the 368-yard seventh hole. His tee shot hit a tree and after a tough second shot he hit a sand wedge to within three feet.

If Irwin can maintain his momentum, he’ll win the $225,000 first prize.

If Pooley were to win, he would earn almost as much as the $266,976 he won in the seven Senior PGA Tour tournaments he played last year after turning 50 in August and joining the tour in September.

Whatever Pooley ends up making, he may owe a portion to Nelson. Pooley credits a lesson he got from Nelson on Thursday for getting his game straightened out.

“We’re having dinner tonight,” Nelson said. “I may let him pick up the tab. That should take care of it.”

Pooley and Nelson have been friends for more than 25 years.

“He helped me out when I first made the PGA Tour,” Pooley said. “I was kidding him the other day, before this tournament started, that maybe he could help me out again.”

Nelson didn’t take it as a joke.

“Sure, let’s go out to the range,” he told Pooley.

Nelson said he spent only about five minutes working with him.

“He just needed some help with his set-up,” Nelson said. “He was lining up to the right. With 90% of the guys out here, it’s either ball position or alignment. If you’re trying to change someone’s swing, you’ve got a problem.”

Saturday was a good day for Pooley. After his 65, he went off to find a TV and watch Arizona, his alma mater, finish off USC in the Pacific 10 tournament title game.

Besides Zinni, a qualifier from Mankato, Minn., Pooley is the least-known player atop the leaderboard.

Irwin is the senior tour’s all-time money leader. Doyle, the first-round leader who came in with a 70 Saturday, was the leading point and money winner last year. Morgan was third in money and fifth in points. Nelson was fourth in both. Hall won the AT&T; Canada Senior Open last year.

Pooley’s best finish last year was a tie for fourth, and his best in the four senior tournaments he has played this year was a tie for 12th in the ACE Group Classic at Naples, Fla.

Pooley, who is originally from Riverside and now lives in Tucson, finished eight over par last weekend in the SBC Senior Classic at Valencia Country Club.

Since Nelson got him straightened out, Pooley has had rounds of 70 and 65.

He started Saturday’s second round with three consecutive birdies. And he made a 50-foot bunker shot at 15 for an eagle. He bogeyed the fourth hole when he three-putted, and he also bogeyed the 185-yard, par-three 17th.

“I hit my worst shot of the day off the tee,” he said.

He was left with a tough shot from a bunker and then two-putted.

On the 510-yard, par-five 18th, his second shot ended up in a bunker 50 yards from the hole. His bunker shot was just short of rolling onto the green and close to the pin; instead it rolled back down. He chipped up and two-putted for par.

Pooley said his wife Margaret and daughters Lynn and Kerri will be among his supporters in the gallery today. Both daughters attend Biola in La Mirada and Kerri, a sophomore, is a point guard on the women’s basketball team.