Clark Dennis will take a three shot lead into the final round of the WINSTONgolf Senior Open after firing a second round 68 for a 12 under par total.
The American, who started his second round on the back nine, birdied the tenth hole to move to nine under par and then birdied the 14th to reach double figures at WINSTONgolf.
He then recorded his only bogey of the tournament so far on the 15th, but cancelled that out with gains on the second, fourth and seventh holes for a three shot lead over Phillip Price and Chris Williams.
“I plead very nicely today. I had a couple of minor hiccups, but I only made one bogey; it’s hard to complain about that,” said Dennis. “I know tomorrow I just have to go out and play the best I can play. I Can’t control what anyone else does, and there are some great players right behind me.
“I can’t let up. I have to play the same way I have done over these two days. I’m in good form at the moment, and I need to ride this for as long as I can.”
Since joining the Senior Tour after earning a card at Qualifying School in February, Dennis has finished no lower than 19th in regular Senior Tour events. The American finished fourth at the European Tour Properties Senior Classic and third last week at the Swiss Seniors Open.
After a first round of 67, Chris Williams, winner of the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq in March, carded a second round 68 to reach nine under par.
“I’m putting tremendously and that saved me today,” said Williams. “My win has made a difference for the whole year. When you win, your game can be more relaxed and you find your natural ability can come out a bit more. You have good memories and it’s important to know that you can do it.
“I’m very confident with my swing right now. It’s good to know that when you stand over a ball, you can hit a fairway. I’m really happy with my game right now.”
Price, hero of The 2002 Ryder Cup after defeating Phil Mickelson 3&2 in the Sunday singles at The Belfry, will join Dennis and Williams in Sunday’s final group after his second round of 69.
“I started badly after double bogeying the first, but from there I played lovely again,” said the Welshman. “It was a bit of a shock but the rest of the day was similar to yesterday, really tidy.
“I scrambled a little bit better today, which kept my score going. It’s awkward out there; the wind switched a little and there are some ugly spots you can get caught up in.”
In a share of fourth place are Magnus P Atlevi, who won last year’s Paris Legends Championship, Paul Eales, who will defend the Scottish Senior Open next month, and former Presidents Cup player Greg Turner.
Atlevi made a hole-in-one on the par three 13th hole, his second ace in five tournament rounds after making a hole-in-one in the first round of last week’s Swiss Seniors Open.
European Tour Properties Senior Classic winner Santiago Luna and former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin are in seventh on six under par.
