Arnie’s Army All Fired Up Over Palmer’s Two-Day Total

Larry Gilbert and Graham Marsh shared the top spot at the Senior PaineWebber Invitational on Saturday, when the biggest stir was caused by the presence of Arnold Palmer on the leaderboard.

Gilbert, who shot a 2-under-par 70, and Marsh, who had a 71, were at 7-under 137 after two tours of the Tournament Players Club at Piper Glen in Charlotte, N.C.

Of the 15 players within four shots of the co-leaders, nobody was more conspicuous than Palmer, 66. Followed as usual by the largest gallery on the course, Palmer rewarded Arnie’s Army with a second consecutive 70, leaving him three back heading into today’s final round of the $800,000 Senior PGA Tour event.

Jeff Maggert, playing on his home turf at the Tournament Players Course at The Woodlands, Texas, shot a 6-under 66 to claim a one-shot lead over David Duval after three rounds of the Shell Houston Open.

Ex-Pullman resident Kirk Triplett is eight back, at 6-under 210.

At Daytona Beach, Fla., Catrin Nilsmark finally knocked Val Skinner out of the lead at the Sprint Titleholders Championship, shooting a 4-under 68 and setting up a tight race for the richest purse on the LPGA Tour.

Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, fired a 71 for a three-day, 6-under total of 210, seven off the pace. Robin Walton of Clarkston shot 73 for 212, 4-under.