EAST MEADOW, N.Y., June 30 (UPI) -- Lonnie Nielsen posted a 7-under 64 Saturday to take the lead after two rounds of the seniors' Commerce Bank Championship at East Meadow, N.Y.
Nielsen completed 36 holes at 12-under 130, two off Jim Thorpe's tournament record. He was three strokes better than Tom McKnight, who shot a second-round 66 to take second place going into the final round.
Defending champion John Harris shot his second straight 67 and was tied for third with Jay Sigel (66) at 8-under 134.
"I hit some really great irons on the back side," said Nielsen. "Fourteen and 15 especially, I knocked them right in there close where I could brush them in."
Nielsen, who celebrated his 54th birthday Friday, has never won on the Champions Tour. He was runner-up in two events -- including a playoff loss to Eduardo Romero at last year's Tradition.
