Haas leads Toshiba Classic

Newport Beach, California:

Jay Haas shot a 7-under 64 on Saturday to match the Toshiba Classic's 36-hole scoring record and take a one-stroke lead over Peter Jacobsen into the final round of the Champions Tour event. Haas, who opened with a 65, had a 13-under 129 total on the Newport Beach Country Club course. He matched the 36-hole record set by Rodger Davis in his 2003 victory. "I played well again," said Haas, the tour's player of the year last season. "I seemed to putt better. I felt comfortable over the ball." Jacobsen, who had laser back surgery last week to repair disk damage caused from a hip replacement last year, followed his opening 66 with a 64. RW Eaks (66) two strokes back at 11 under, and Ben Crenshaw (67) and Joe Ozaki (64) followed at 10 under. Three birdies Haas broke out from the pack early, birdieing three of his first four holes en route to a 5-under 30 on the front nine. Haas, a four-time winner last year on the 50-and-over tour, has four top-fives in six tournaments this season, including three second-place finishes. "I really played well at our first tournament this year," Haas said. "I won't say I should have won by now, but I am playing well and that is a carryover from last year. If Haas is going to win he'll have to hold off Jacobsen, as well as seven other golfers who are within four strokes of the lead. "I might have to shoot 61 to beat him," Jacobsen said. "He is playing really well." So is Jacobsen. "I came out with no expectations this week," Jacobsen said. "It is overwhelming in the way I feel. I feel great and I'm real happy to be able to make some swings." Haas missed a 6-foot putt birdie putt on the final hole. "The only putt I thought I should have made," Haas said. "I was disappointed with that." It was a relief to Jacobsen. "Any time Jay Haas misses a putt it helps me," Jacobsen said.