Levi leads PGA Senior Championship

AKRON, Ohio, June 7 (UPI) -- Wayne Levi, who turned 50 less than three months ago, shot a 2-under 68 Friday that vaulted him into a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Senior PGA Championship.

Only four players were under par midway through the Senior major, being played at the Firestone Country Club.

Levi was at 3-under 137 with Larry Nelson, Larry Ziegler and Walter Hall all at 138. At even-par 140 were Jim Thorpe, Jay Overton, Bobby Wadkins, Bob Gilder and Fuzzy Zoeller while the group at 141 included Hale Irwin, Raymond Floyd and Tom Kite.

Levi was named PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1990, when he led the circuit with four victories. He is seeking his first win on the Senior Tour.

Nelson is trying to bounce back from shoulder problems that plagued him after he was named Senior PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2000.

"This golf course doesn't allow you to get much in a groove," Nelson said. "It feels more like the U.S. Open and I think it's great. There is no reason to make our major tournaments a pitch-and-putt.

"I think the guy who wins the majors out here should be able to drive the ball --- drive it, hit your irons and putt. This golf course is very penal."

The 36-hole cut came at 9-over 149 and it slipped to that figure only because two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North bogeyed the final two holes.

That allowed Jack Nicklaus to barely survive the cut after he shot a 78 Friday. Nicklaus opened with a 71. Tom Watson, after shooting 69 Thursday, struggled to a 76. The day's best round was a 3-under 67 by Ben Crenshaw, who made the cut at 145.