AKRON, Ohio, June 8 (UPI) -- Despite a double bogey at the 18th hole, Bobby Wadkins shot a 1-under 69 Saturday to grab the 54-hole lead at the Senior PGA Championship.
Playing in the tournament for the first time, Wadkins survived a battle of attrition and was the only player under par after three trips around the Firestone Country Club course.
Wadkins came to the par-4 18th with a three-shot lead, but made a six there and finished at 1-under 209. He was a shot in front of Larry Nelson, Fuzzy Zoeller and club pro Roy Vucinich, who matched the low round of the day with a 68.
Only five of the 79 players remaining broke par at Firestone, which features heavy rough around the 6,927-yard, par-70 layout.
Among those still in contention were club pro Jay Overton, who was tied with Walter Hall for fifth at 1-over 211.
Five others are three strokes off the pace, including Hale Irwin and Jim Thorpe, who won the first major of the season -- The Tradition -- in April.
Jack Nicklaus will not be around to watch the winner. After barely making the cut on Friday, he withdrew Saturday due to lingering back pain.
