Michael Allen will be the leader on the first tee tomorrow for the final round of the U.S. Senior Open. Allen took a five-shot lead into the third round, but found it difficult to follow up Friday’s second round seven-under par 63.
He limped around Omaha Country Club shooting two-over par 72, fell to eight-under par and brought a couple of players back into the mix.
Allen has won four events on the Champions Tour and has experience in senior major championships. In his first start on the senior circuit he won the 2009 Senior PGA Championship. He also lost a playoff to Mark O’Meara in the 2010 Senior Players Championship.
Kenny Perry gained eight strokes on Allen on Saturday with a fine six-under 64. Perry and Fred Funk are tied at six-under par just two shots behind Allen.
Perry had 14 PGA Tour wins and zero major titles in 30 years on tour. In just two years on the Champions Tour he has won three titles including his first major title, the Senior Players Championship.
Fred Funk is a very consistent performer and will not miss many fairways. His accuracy may be a big plus in the last round tomorrow.
Funk has three top-10’s and 10 top-25 finishes in his 13 starts this year on the Champions Tour.
Corey Pavin shot a six-under 64 and is in the fourth spot, four shots behind the leader. Another low round like that tomorrow would give him a second USGA championship.
Rocco Mediate struggled to a two-over par 72 and fell to solo fifth spot at three-under par for the tournament.
Ten players, including Mark O’Meara and Tom Lehman, are tied at two-under par and appear to be too far back to be serious contenders to overtake the leaders.
Omaha Country Club is a Perry Maxwell design and is garnering rave reviews from players and media alike. Tree lined rolling fairways, elevation change and undulation in the green complexes are making this a very enjoyable U.S. Senior Open.
Allen, Perry and Funk seem to have the edge and will be the favorites heading into the last round. All are experienced and have the game necessary to win a major championship.