GOLF ROUNDUP \ Saturday’s other events

Champions Tour

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Lonnie Nielsen had a stretch of five birdies in seven holes on the back nine and his 7-under 64 gave him a record-tying three-stroke lead over Tom McKnight after two rounds of the Commerce Bank Championship. Nielsen, who didn’t win in his five years on the PGA Tour or in his five seasons on the Champions Tour, had a 12-under 130 total after 36 holes on the 7,011-yard Red Course at Eisenhower Park. The three-shot lead matches the tournament record set by Bruce Fleisher in 1999 and 2000, and equaled by Jay Sigel in 2001.

McKnight, a longtime amateur who turned professional for the second time in 2001, had a bogey-free 66. Like Nielsen, he has one top 10 finish this season. Sigel, who at 63 years, 7 months would become the tour’s oldest winner, and defending champion John Harris were tied for third at 134.

European Tour

VERSAILLES, France — Soren Hansen of Denmark shot a 5-under 66 to lead by one stroke after the third round of the French Open. Hansen, who had an eagle at the third hole after almost chipping in, is at 7-under 206. Simon Khan (70) was second, followed by Colin Montgomerie (71) and Martin Kaymer (69) two shots behind the leader.

Associated Press