Irwin Birdies His Way To Pga Seniors’ Lead

Hale Irwin foresees no changes in his game plan after taking a seven-shot lead at the halfway point Friday in the PGA Seniors’ Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

The defending champion birdied four consecutive holes midway through the front nine and holed out for an eagle at No. 13 en route to a 7-under-par 65 and a 36-hole score of 134 on the 6,722-yard Champion course at the PGA National Golf Club.

New Zealand left-hander Bob Charles birdied the 18th hole for a 70 and was at 141, followed by Gibby Gilbert, whose 73 left him at 142.

Nick Price kept up his accurate iron play and solid putting, shooting a 69 that gave him an 8-under-par 134 for 36 holes and a one-stroke lead over Brad Faxon, Rick Fehr and Lennie Clements at the MCI Classic in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Price was 10-under through 16 holes, but had consecutive bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18. Despite that finish, the round was another sign he’s close to getting back to the top of the tour, as he was when he won 12 tournaments and three majors from 1992 through 1994.

Nanci Bowen fought through windy conditions to post a 1-over-par 73 for a 6-under 138 total and the lead at the halfway point of the LPGA Susan G. Komen International at Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, shot a 77-155 and missed the cut.