Couples Still Tops Senior Players Championship


After polishing off an 8-under 62 in the morning in his weather-delayed second round, Fred Couples tacked on a 67 in the afternoon to take the 54-hole lead in the Senior Players Championship. The $2.7 million Champions Tour major began Thursday at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh.

The 53-year-old from Seattle carded eight birdies in the second round and added five more in the afternoon - along with two bogeys - to reach 15-under 195, two shots ahead of an equally hot Kenny Perry.

Perry, who opened with a 71, is keeping pace with Couples thanks to two straight 63s.

Friday's second round was canceled after a thunderstorm brought a half-inch of rain in 30 minutes, overflowing creeks and turning fairways into small ponds. Sixty-six players had not completed their rounds before play was halted.

Couples birdied seven of his first 12 holes Friday before having to retreat to the clubhouse and continue Saturday morning. He added six pars and anther birdie for his second-round 62.

Four strokes behind Couples is Duffy Waldorf (66), while five back are first-round leader John Huston (68) and Mike Goodes (65).

Mark Calcavecchia (66) is in solo fifth at 202, while another stroke back are Morris Hatalsky (66), Corey Pavin (67), Michael Allen (68) and Jeff Hart (70).

In his Champions Tour debut, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie has recorded rounds of 69, 70 and 68 and shares 16th at 3-under 207.

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