SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — Brad Bryant shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead in the AT&T Champions Classic, while first-round leader Nick Price's 77 left him six strokes back entering the final day.
Bryant, the 2007 U.S. Senior Open champion, had a 7-under 137 total on the Valencia Country Club course. He had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys in the second round, and nearly had a second eagle on the 18th when his 66-yard wedge shot spun back by the hole, leaving just 3 feet for birdie.
Price, winless in 17 career starts since joining the 50-and-over tour last year, had a double bogey, four bogeys and one birdie Saturday after opening with a 66 on Friday. He won 18 times on the PGA Tour, including three major victories.
Bryant made a 37-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th and was 5 under on the four par 5s in the second round after playing them in 1 under on Friday.
"It was a big deal," Bryant said. "I played them well. I drove the ball well and hit lots of good iron shots."
Bryant had 27 putts, 12 on the back nine — including six consecutive one-putts.
Jay Haas (68), Bernhard Langer (68), R.W. Eaks (68), Tom Jenkins (68) and Loren Roberts (70) were tied for second at 5 under, and Mark McNulty (67), John Cook (69), Scott Simpson (69), Fred Funk (70), Graham Marsh (71), Jeff Sluman (70) and defending champion Tom Purtzer (73) were 4 under.
