Australia’s Steve Allan fired a 7-under-par 65 on Saturday at Mission Hills Country Club to seize a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The 51-year-old Allan, who got in the field because Steve Stricker withdrew Monday due to a bad back, matched his lowest Champions Tour score to put himself into position for his first title on this tour. Allan credited countryman Cameron Percy, who shared the first-round lead, with helping him this week.
“Nice to be really striking the ball well,” Allan said. “I had a good first round last week but, as the wind picked up, and it wasn’t even that windy. I struggled with it last week and had a little adjustment this week. I got a tip from Cameron Percy the other day, which helped, and I’ve been hitting the ball really well. So even though the wind was picking up, I was a bit more confident than I was last week.”
Alln holds a one-shot edge over Tag Ridings, who tied the tournament record for lowest 18-hole score as he produced a 9-under 63. That equaled the mark set last year by Ricardo Gonzalez. Neither Allan nor Ridings have status on the Champions Tour, so they have extra incentive Sunday.
“It’s a big boost of confidence (to shoot a 63),” said Ridings, who earned a spot via Tuesday’s open qualifier. “But, more than confidence out here, you need status. I’m here to do something good tomorrow and work that out. … Every step of the ladder is a big deal.”
The 50-year-old Ridings, playing his second Tour event, climbed one shot ahead of New Zealand’s Steven Alker, Australia’s Percy and Jason Caron. They’re all at 8-under-par as Alker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, matched Allan’s 65.
First-round co-leader Bernhard Langer dropped four shots off the pace as he followed his first-round 67 — equaling his age — with a 1-under 71. Miguel Angel Jimenez delivered the day’s third 7-under 65 to recover from his first-round 73 and pull within four shots of the lead.
“I finished almost like a pure black horse instead of a donkey,” Jimenez said.
Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa is tied for 16th at 4 under.
Rocco Mediate and Mark Calcavecchia withdrew in the second round due to injury, the tour announced.
