BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Doug Barron shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the Areas Custom lead with Ernie Els on Saturday, heading into the ultimate spherical of the PGA Tour Champions’ first main of the season.
Els shot 70 with an eagle and a par-saving shot after sending the ball into the creek on No. 15 at Greystone. The World Golf Corridor of Famer settled for par on the ultimate gap, the place Barron had birdied to catch as much as him at 13-under 203.
“It was a troublesome day. We have been sort of sizing one another up, myself and Steve,” Els mentioned. “I made that nice eagle on 2. I am actually discovering it powerful to learn a few of these putts. I made a mushy bogey on 5 that basically set me again.
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“I sort of scrambled it round. I really feel like I am nonetheless taking part in fairly effectively.”
They have been a shot forward of Padraig Harrington, whose 69 included a double bogey on No. 11 after his tee shot landed out of bounds. However he rallied with a closing birdie, his fifth.
Two-time defending champion Steve Stricker (73) and Charlie Wi (70) have been two pictures again. Stricker remained close to the leaders in his bid to match Jack Nicklaus’ document 4 Custom wins regardless of failing to make a single birdie. It is his first time failing to card a spherical underneath par on the Custom.
Els eagled the par-5 second gap earlier than getting his first bogey of the match on No. 5. He saved par after his second shot on 15 went into the creek, hitting from the tough to inside just a few toes of the opening some 40 yards away. Els parred 17 after his birdie try from the bunker hit the flag stick.
A 19-time winner on the PGA Tour, Els is looking for his fourth victory on the 50-and-over circuit, with the newest being final yr within the Hoag Basic.
Barron closed together with his seventh birdie whereas his solely bogey got here on the third gap. He’s looking for his first PGA Tour Champions win for the reason that 2020 Shaw Charity Basic and third general, whereas coming off a tie for second on the Mitsubishi Electrical Basic.
However Barron is aware of he is dealing with powerful competitors from better-known gamers like Stricker and Els.
“I do not care who’s successful,” mentioned Barron, who had one among his twin sisters available at Greystone. “So I am simply going to exit and do the perfect Doug Barron can do. I do know what I can shoot. I am unable to management all these different superstars.
“So I will simply do the perfect I can do. I am feeling good about my recreation, although. I’ll say that.”
Wi, who hasn’t gained on the senior tour, made a protracted birdie putt to finish his day.
Okay.J. Choi (69) and Kenny Perry (71) have been 9 underneath, one forward of Stewart Cink (70) and Steve Flesch (74).
