RIDGEDALE, Mo. – Shane Bertsch shot his second consecutive 7-under 64 on Thursday to take a four-time lead in the final round of the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge, his second event in the PGA Tour Champions.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a four-half lead on the last day, but I feel like if I keep doing what I’m doing, I should have a lot of looks,” Bertsch said. “And I’m putting putts, so I prefer it to be four rather than three. I fought to the last hole, but I was happy to have a par there.”
Tied for the first-round lead with Tom Lehman, Bertsch had nine birdies and two bogeys at Buffalo Ridge in the first of two 54-hole events at Big Cedar Lodge.
“It’s funny when you move like that,” Bertsch said. “I’ve had a couple of series where I think I’ve done three in a row twice.”
50-year-old Bertsch, three-time winner of the Korn Ferry Tour, made his delayed senior debut three weeks ago in a 45th-place draw at The Ally Challenge in Michigan.
“I knew I could only be there from my first tournament, how I played and how my body felt and I know how close I was to The Ally,” Bertsch said. “I wasn’t really close to the end, but I felt like my game was, you know, adequate to play here and I just need to get some consistency.”
Bernhard Langer had a 64 to move up to second place tied at 10 under with Kenny Perry (65) and Wes Short Jr. (66).
“I kept the ball in play, hit lots of fairways, lots of greens, gave myself lots of opportunities and placed a decent putt,” said Langer. “You know, 7 under is very nice at any time, but the conditions were beautiful.”
The 62-year-old German star won in Tucson, Arizona in March for his record 41st tour win.
Perry got the par 5 18th.
“I hit the 5 best wood I hit in a long time on that green and I hit about 20 feet,” Perry said. “At least in a way it takes me to the baseball field.”
Vijay Singh (66) and Darren Clarke (67) were 9 under.
Lehman had a 71 to drop in a tie for 11th place at 7 under.
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