Craig Stadler fires 63, moves one shot ahead of Haas in First Tee Open
He's seeking his second straight win and fourth this season.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- Craig Stadler moved into position for his second straight victory Saturday, shooting a 9-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead over Jay Haas after the second round of the inaugural First Tee Open.
Stadler, who won the Tradition last week in Oregon for his third Champions Tour victory of the season and sixth in 30 starts in two seasons on the 50-and-over circuit, had two eagles, six birdies and a bogey at Pebble Beach. He had a 9-under 135 total after opening with a 72 on Friday on the Bayonet course.
"Well, it was OK today," said Stadler, the 1982 Masters champion. "I've never shot a 63 when it hasn't been an OK day."
Ryder Cupper
The 50-year-old Haas, added to the U.S. Ryder Cup team as a captain's pick, shot a 66, also at Pebble Beach. Hale Irwin (66), Tom Kite (66), Gary McCord (68) and D.A. Weibring (71) were four strokes back at 5 under, and Ed Dougherty (69) and David Eger (73) were 4 under.
Stadler and junior partner Aaron Woodward, a 16-year-old junior at East High School in Denver, had a one-stroke lead in the pro-junior competition at 13-under 131. Woodward's father, Tom Woodward, was a PGA Tour player in the 1980s.
Stadler had only 23 putts Saturday.
"This game is so much fun when I make birdie putts, and I made nearly every putt today," Stadler said. "My goal was to get us into Sunday's round and we've done that. Now, let's see what we can do."
Pleased with round
Haas was equally pleased with his round and the tournament.
"I can't say enough about the course and the weather," Haas said. "I don't know how many times I've played here. But it's never been as comfortable as it's been this week."
Eger, the former PGA Tour and USGA official who held a one-stroke lead over Weibring after the first round, dropped back with his 73 on the Bayonet course in Seaside.
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