Arnold Palmer was as steady as they come in the second round of the Senior British Open - until the 13th hole.
"I'm obviously not pleased with my finish," said Palmer, who shot a 2-over-par 74 Thursday to fall four strokes off the pace at the midway point.Palmer, tied for the lead after the first round, began the day by parring the first 12 holes on the Royal Lytham and St Annes course. Then came two consecutive bogeys, a couple of birdies to pull back even, then two more bogeys to finish.
"I'm always looking at why," the 64-year-old American said. "My driving, which had been good this week, went haywire."
New Zealander Bob Charles shot a 69 for a 5-under-par total of 139 to take a 2-stroke lead over American pair Tom Wargo and Doug Dalziel.
South African Gary Player, who played in his record 40th British Open last week, and Bill Dunk of Australia were three shots off the pace.
Palmer, who admitted Wednesday that his recent poor form forced him to consider retirement, said his supsect driving game will have to improve if he is to challenge over the final two rounds.
"My irons and putting have been better this week," Palmer said.
For Charles, a strong game on the greens has made the difference. He has 3-putted only once in the first two rounds.
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At Sutton, Mass., Four days after winning a tournament drenched by a Mississippi monsoon, Brian Henninger stayed hot - and dry - and shared Thursday's first-round lead in the New England Classic.
Henninger birdied seven of the last nine holes and his 7-under-par 64 tied Mark Wurtz and they were one stroke ahead of Ronnie Black, Guy Boros and David Feherty. With little wind, 69 players broke par.
Eight players were at 66, including Morris Hatalsky, who won this tournament in 1990. He had a hole-in-one on the 230-yard 14th when his ball landed 10 feet from the pin and rolled in.
Jeff Maggert, sixth on the earnings list, was at 68. Brad Faxon, the tour's 20th-leading money-winner who finished seventh at the British Open last Sunday, was one of 23 players tied at 70.
Only two of the tour's top 20 money-winners are at the New England Classic.