CONCORD, Mass. -- George Archer had six birdies on the front
nine and Hale Irwin had four on the back nine Saturday as the two
moved into a tie with first-round leader Jay Sigel after two rounds
of the $1.2 million BankBoston Classic.
Archer had a 6-under-par 66 in the second round of the Senior
PGA Tour stop at the 6,773-yard Nashawtuc Country Club course.
After opening with his birdie binge over the first eight holes,
Archer parred the last seven in posting a 7-under 137 heading into Sunday.
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| Hale Irwin's 68 on Saturday moved him to a familiar spot atop the BankBoston Classic leader board. |
"I played very well today and then managed to hang on," Archer
said. "I had good pace on my putts and kept the ball out of the
trees."
Irwin, the defending champion, started out slow Saturday, making
one birdie on the front nine. But he made four birdies -- along with
a bogey -- on the back nine in a 68.
"I don't try to overpower this course," said Irwin, who has
won five senior events this year. "I like to keep all my shots
under control."
After leading by two strokes at the end of the opening round,
Sigel said he was disappointed with his 70 on Saturday.
"I'm not happy with the way I hit the ball," said Sigel, who
made three birdies on the front nine but bogeyed Nos. 11 and 12
after apparently injuring his shoulder.
South African Hugh Baiocchi shot a 5-under 31 on the back nine
in a 67 that left him at 138, tied with Tom McGinnis and John
Bland, who both shots 69.
"It got a little interesting when I started making those
birdies," said Baiocchi, who birdied Nos. 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16 to
move within one stroke of the leaders. "I'm right in there for
tomorrow."
Seven golfers were within three strokes of the lead going into
Sunday's final round.
"This shapes up to be a good horse race tomorrow," Irwin said.
"It's anybody's tournament."
