BLAINE, Minn., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Defending champion Hale Irwin stayed within a stroke of the leaders Friday at the 3M Championship, overcoming an ailing back to shoot a 4-under 68.
Jim Thorpe, Morris Hatalsky and Jerry McGee shot 67s for a one-stroke lead over Irwin, Bob Murphy, Wayne Levi, Mike Smith and David Eger. A total of 21 players were within three strokes of the lead.
Irwin said Thursday he was swinging at no better than 80 percent due to a nagging back injury. It still bothered him at times Friday.
"Some shots I just can't play out there," said Irwin, the winningest player in Champions Tour history. "I have difficulty with the pitching wedge and sand wedge, probably because they have shorter shafts."
Irwin had to be helped off the Olympia Fields course in June when he injured his back during the U.S. Open.
