Watson Keeps Lead Despite Roberts’ 62

Tom Watson shot a 66 to keep the lead at the U.S. Senior Open on Saturday at Hutchinson, Kan., and Loren Roberts charged into contention with an eight-under-par 62 that broke the mark for the lowest 18-hole score in any USGA Open championship.

Roberts, 51, recorded eight birdies and no bogeys on the narrow 6,646-yard Prairie Dunes layout, and had eight one-putts on the front nine.

The three-time winner on this year’s Champions Tour birdied five of the first eight holes en route to breaking the record of 63, which was shared by seven, including Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Vijay Singh.

Roberts’ 62 tied for the lowest 18-hole score in any of the 13 USGA national championships.

Watson’s second consecutive 66 left him at eight-under 202 through three rounds, two strokes ahead of Allen Doyle (67) and three up on Roberts.

Easier pin placements have contributed to the low scores. Plus, Watson said, the seniors have learned the complexities and nuances of this links-type course.

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Brittany Lincicome and Juli Inkster spoiled a possible Michelle Wie-Annika Sorenstam final in the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship at Gladstone, N.J.

Lincicome defeated second-seeded Wie, 4 and 3, in the quarterfinals, and Inkster beat top-seeded Sorenstam, 1-up, with a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole -- moments after Sorenstam missed a six-footer.

The 16-year-old Wie beat Se Ri Pak, 2 and 1, in their morning third-round match but fell behind early against Lincicome and was unable to close the gap.

Sorenstam, who beat Brittany Lang, 6 and 5, in the third round, was 3 up after eight holes and 2 up after 11 before Inkster fought her way back.

Inkster will play fifth-seeded Paula Creamer in the semifinals this morning. Creamer beat fourth-seeded Karrie Webb, 3 and 2.

Lincicome will play third-seeded Lorena Ochoa, a 3-and-2 winner over Sophie Gustafson.