It’s Another Big Day for Irwin

Hale Irwin continued his assault on the record books Saturday, shooting a 66 and taking an eight-stroke lead after two rounds in the Ameritech Senior Open at Long Grove, Ill.

His 16-under 128 tied the record for 36 holes in relation to par set by Irwin in last year’s Vantage Championship. He also tied the Senior PGA Tour record for largest lead, initially set by Arnold Palmer in the 1984 Seniors Championship and tied three other times.

“He’s beating the tar out of all of us,” said Bruce Summerhays, who is at eight-under 136 after shooting a 68. “It appears we’re all playing for second.”

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Annika Sorenstam shot a six-under 65 to set the 54-hole record in the JAL Big Apple Classic at New Rochelle, N.Y., and extend her lead to six strokes.

Sorenstam’s 15-under 198 breaks the mark set by Juli Inkster when she won the tournament in 1992. She made a long birdie putt on the par-five 18th for the record.

Michelle Estill was second at 204 after a six-under 65.

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Mike Brisky shot a 66 to earn a share of the lead after three rounds of the Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic at Madison, Miss.

Fred Funk followed his second-round 64 with a 69 to tie Brisky at 14-under 202.

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In Front

Leaders after Saturday in respective tournaments (complete scores, C15):

AMERITECH SENIOR OPEN--Par 72

Hale Irwin: 62-66--128 -16

Larry Nelson: 69-67--136 -8

Bruce Summerhays: 68-68--136 -8

JAL BIG APPLE CLASSIC--Par 71

Annika Sorenstam: 67-66-65--198 -15

Michelle Estill: 71-68-65--204 -9

Jenny Lidback: 68-68-69--205 -8

Chris Johnson: 68-68-69--205 -8

Penny Hammel: 64-71-70--205 -8

DEPOSIT GUARANTY CLASSIC--Par 72

Mike Brisky: 68-68-66--202 -14

Fred Funk: 69-64-69--202 -14

Franklin Langham: 67-67-70--204 -12

Paul Goydos: 66-66-72--204 -12

Doug Tewell: 66-66-72--204 -12