Gene Sauers carded a 3-under-par 68 took a three-stroke lead over Bernhard Langer of Germany and Scott Dunlap after three rounds of the U.S. Senior Open Championship in blistering heat at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Okla.
The 51-year-old Sauers, who won three times on the PGA Tour but has never won a major title, took a bogey on the first hole but then sprinkled four birdies across his scorecard.
“I’ve got some help back home,” said Sauers, whose last victory came in the 2002 Air Canada Championship. “Some friends and some teachers have been helping me a little bit. They’ve got me hitting the ball solid now. Building my confidence is mainly what they do. They know I still have it.
“You know, it’s just, go out there and do it. Try not to put too much pressure on myself and try to have fun.”
Langer, the two-time Masters champion who claimed his third Champions Tour major title in the Constellation Senior Players Championship last month, shot 71, while Dunlap bounced back from two early birdies to shoot 72.
Colin Montgomerie, who led after the first and second rounds, started strong with two early birdies before wilting in the heat and struggled to a 74 that left him four shots back in solo fourth.
Vijay Singh, who won three majors on the PGA Tour and is playing in his first senior major, posted a 71 and was five strokes back in a tie for fifth with Marco Dawson, who had a 69, and Jeff Sluman, who came in at 72.
Those were the only players in the field under par.
