Browne's five birds good for Sr. Open lead

TOLEDO, Ohio, July 30 (UPI) -- Olin Browne sank five birdies on the final nine holes Saturday, firing a 6-under 65 en route to a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the U.S. Senior Open.

Browne's hot streak on the back nine was one for the record books -- he became the first player in U.S. Senior Open history to post a 29 for nine holes.

He finished Round 3 at 15-under-par 198, setting a new 54-hole record for the major tournament. He broke the previous mark of 199 set by Simon Hobday in 1994.

Mark O'Meara carded fired a 5-under 66, ending two behind Browne at 13-under 200. The two leaders will play together in Sunday's final at Inverness Club in Ohio.

O'Meara was also on a roll down the stretch, birdying three of the last four holes.

Jeff Sluman, who like Browne shot a 65, gained a share of third place at minus-9 with Mark Calcavecchia (69), Joey Sindelar (69) and Peter Senior (68).