Tom Watson leads U.S. Senior Open

KOHLER, Wis., July 6 (UPI) -- Tom Watson rode a hot putter Friday to take a three-shot lead after two rounds of the U.S. Senior Open at Kohler, Wis.

Watson is trying to become the eighth player to win the Senior Open after previously winning the U.S. Open. He shot a 6-under 66 at the Whistling Straits course Friday for a 36-hole total of 136.

Those at 5-under 139 included Loren Roberts, Des Smyth, Lonnie Nielsen, Ben Crenshaw and Vicente Fernandez.

First-round leader Eduardo Romero stumbled to a 77 and was tied for 21st at 1-under 143.

Watson made eight birdies, including four in a row beginning at the 14th. He one-putted 10 greens.

There were 25 players under par at the 36-hole mark, but Jay Haas -- the leading money winner on the Champions tour -- was not among them. Haas was at even-par 144 after firing a 71 Friday.

Those who have won both the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open include Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Gary Player, Orville Moody, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Hale Irwin.