Haas Takes Big Lead in Charles Schwab Cup Championship


Jay Haas separated himself from the elite field in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship with another stellar round in the $2.5 million, 72-hole event -the season-ender on the Champions Tour. The tournament is being held on the Cochise Course at the Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The 60-year-old Haas, the oldest player in the 30-man field, carded four birdies on each the front and back nines for a 62 and a two-round total of 128, four strokes ahead of 18-hole leader Tom Pernice Jr. Pernice followed up his opening 65 with a 67.

After going without a win since the Principal Charity Classic in June 2012, Haas has enjoyed a good October, winning his 17th Champions Tour title two weeks ago in the Greater Hickory Kia Classic at Rock Barn in North Carolina.

He could have recorded a 61, but missed a short birdie putt at the par-5 18th hole on the Jack Nicklaus design.

Trailing Haas by six is Kenny Perry, who carded a 68 Friday, while seven behind are defending champion Fred Couples, who rebounded from an opening 71 with a 64, Michael Allen (66) and Olin Browne (67).

Allen is coming off a victory in last week's AT&T Championship.

Sharing seventh at 4-under 136 on the par-70 layout are Americans Wes Short Jr. (67), Joe Durant (70) and Gene Sauers (68), and Germany's Bernhard Langer (70).

Langer has already wrapped up the Charles Schwab Cup points title. The 57-year-old, a five-time winner this year, secured the Cup by finishing tied for sixth last week.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.