Tour rookie three ahead of Fergus
Updated: March 19, 2005, 10:20 PM ET
Associated Press
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Champions Tour rookie Mark Johnson shot an 8-under 63 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead over former University of Houston coach Keith Fergus after the second round of the Toshiba Senior Classic.
The 50-year-old Johnson, the qualifying tournament winner known as the "Beer Man" because he drove a Budweiser truck for 18 years before turning pro, had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey to reach 12 under on the Newport Beach Country Club course.
"I felt confident and good about everything that happened today," Johnson said. "But I'll be nervous tomorrow. I was nervous at Q-School with the lead, too.
"It was a great day for me. I was very fortunate to make numerous putts today. & My strategy will probably be the same tomorrow. We'll see how the wind is blowing."
Fergus shot a 66. Tom Jenkins and Wayne Levi were 8 under after 68s. First-round leader Gil Morgan (70) was 7 under along with Mike Reid (65) and Ben Crenshaw(67).
Mark McNulty (69) topped a group at 6 under, and defending champion Tom Purtzer (69) was another stroke back along with two-time winner Hale Irwin (69). The 59-year-old Irwin has two victories in five starts this year to push his tour-record total to 42.
Fergus had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys.
"I didn't look at the leaderboard until the back nine," Fergus said. "I said to myself I'd better get myself in gear when I saw that Mark was 12 under."
Fergus and Jenkins will be paired with Johnson in the final round.
"Mark will definitely feel some pressure tomorrow," Fergus said. "It's up to the rest of us to put some more on him. I'd say this course could produce a low score; maybe a 61 or 62."
Crenshaw was sailing along at 6 under for the day when he double-bogeyed the 17th.
"I was really worried with the ball at 17," Crenshaw said. "I wasn't sure I could get it out of the sand. I was worried the ball could hit the lip of the trap and come back and hit me or end up in my footsteps."
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
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