CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Keith Clearwater, whose only two PGA Tour wins came 23 years ago, took the lead Thursday at the Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament.
Clearwater, who turned 50 in September, shot a 9-under 63 at the TPC-Eagle Trace course and his 54-hole total of 200 gave him a three-shot with one round to play.
Lee Rinker was alone in second at 203 following a 66 and John Morse was third at 205. Morse also shot a 66 Thursday.
The top five finishers in the event win a full exemption onto the Champions Tour for 2011.
Clearwater's best two months of golf on the regular tour came in May and June of 1987. He shot 64-64 over the final two rounds, played on the same day, to win the Colonial Invitation. He went out the next day and successfully qualified for the U.S. Open.
A month later he led the Open going into the final round, but fell back in an event eventually won by Scott Simpson at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
