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 tricky day. We have been form of sizing one another up, myself and Steve,” Els stated. “I made that nice eagle on 2. I am actually discovering it robust to learn a few of these putts. I made a tender bogey on 5 that basically set me again.
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“I form of scrambled it round. I really feel like I am nonetheless taking part in fairly nicely.”
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’ report 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 ft 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 in search of his fourth victory on the 50-and-over circuit, with the newest being final yr within the Hoag Traditional.
Barron closed along with his seventh birdie whereas his solely bogey got here on the third gap. He’s in search of his first PGA Tour Champions win for the reason that 2020 Shaw Charity Traditional and third total, whereas coming off a tie for second on the Mitsubishi Electrical Traditional.
However Barron is aware of he is going through robust competitors from better-known gamers like Stricker and Els.
“I do not care who’s profitable,” stated Barron, who had one among his twin sisters available at Greystone. “So I am simply going to exit and do one of the best Doug Barron can do. I do know what I can shoot. I am unable to management all these different superstars.
“So I am going to simply do one of the best I can do. I am feeling good about my sport, although. I’ll say that.”
Wi, who hasn’t gained on the senior tour, made an extended 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).
