Pernice holds lead in senior tour debut

CARY, N.C., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Tom Pernice Jr. turned in his second straight 5-under 67 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the senior SAS Championship.

In his debut on the Champions Tour, Pernice finished 36 holes at 10-under 134. Pernice would become the 13th player to win his Champions Tour debut and first since Mark Wiebe did it two years ago.

First-round co-leaders Russ Cochran and Denis Watson shot 69 Saturday and are tied for second place with Dan Forsman (68) at 9-under 135.

R.W. Eaks was bothered by lower back pain most of the back nine Saturday, but still managed a 69 and is tied for fifth place with Nick Price (68) and Joey Sindelar (69) at 136.