SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The crammed leaderboard at the U.S. Senior Open has some familiar faces heading into the final round and one notable name nobody expected to challenge for another major.
Good luck predicting what will happen Sunday.
Bernhard Langer and Jeff Maggert shared the lead at 5-under-par 205 at Del Paso Country Club, where conditions cooled off Saturday after consecutive days above 100 degrees. But the competition remained hot, with eight players one shot off the lead, including 65-year-old Tom Watson and defending champion Colin Montgomerie.
“It’s like a horse race,” Watson said. “Getting close to the wire.”
Langer shot a 2-under-par 68, and Maggert had a 70.
Watson, who was tied with Maggert and Peter Fowler through 36 holes, salvaged a 1-over 71 by making a 20-foot par putt on the 18th hole that sent the gallery into a roar. Montgomerie had a 70, and Kenny Perry surged into contention with a sizzling 64.
The trio was joined by Fred Funk (68), Grant Waite (69), Scott Dunlap (68), Woody Austin (69) and Jim Carter (70). Fowler shot a 72 and was among six players at 3-under for the tournament.
“The only way to separate yourself is by playing great golf,” said Langer, who should feel comfortable in this position.
Langer and Montgomerie have combined to win six of the previous seven senior major championships. Maggert had the other victory during that stretch earlier this year at The Tradition, where Perry won in 2014.
“I’m kind of getting sick of seeing them, actually, especially on top of the leaderboard,” Maggert said. “But it does seem to be a pretty constant theme out there.”
