Dawson Up by One at Tucson Conquistadores Classic


Marco Dawson fired his second straight 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead in the inaugural Tucson Conquistadores Classic. The $1.7 million Champions Tour event began Friday at Omni Tucson National's Catalina course in Arizona.

The 51-year-old Dawson, who began Saturday trailing 18-hole leader Jerry Smith by a stroke, got off to great start, posting five birdies on the front nine.

But the German-born, Florida resident couldn't capitalize further, carding a birdie and a bogey for a two-round total of 10-under 134 and a one-stroke lead over Wes Short Jr. (66) and Bart Bryant (67).

Propelled by an ace in the first round on the 212-yard seventh hole en route to a pacesetting 65, Smith recorded a 71 to enter Sunday in fourth place at 136.

Tied for fifth at 138 are Michael Allen (67) and South African David Frost (71), while another stroke back are Tom Pernice Jr. (70), Billy Andrade (70) and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie (72).

Sharing 10th at 140 are Mark O'Meara, Jay Don Blake, Jeff Maggert, Brad Bryant, Gene Sauers, Scott Dunlap, Bernhard Langer, Russ Cochran, Corey Pavin and Steve Pate.

After opening with a 72, Fred Couples skied to a 75 on the course that was the former home of the PGA Tour's Tucson Open.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.