Steve Flesch takes lead in Dominion Energy Charity Classic

RICHMOND, Va. — Steve Flesch birdied the par-4 18th gap for a 5-under 67 and a two-stroke lead over Bernhard Langer and Steven Alker on Saturday within the Dominion Vitality Charity Basic, the primary of three PGA Tour Champions playoff occasions.

Flesch reached 13-under 131 along with his second straight bogey-free spherical on The Nation Membership of Virginia’s James River Course. He has performed the again 9 in 9 beneath.

“I did a whole lot of the identical stuff as yesterday,” Flesch mentioned. “I did not get off to a fast begin, I parred the primary 5, however then after I bought to 6, I made a pleasant birdie and performed one other nice again 9 immediately.”

The 54-year-old Flesch gained the 2018 Mitsubishi Electrical Basic for his lone senior title. He gained 4 instances on the PGA Tour.

“I’ve simply been sort of taking part in this week like I’ve the final, I assume, two months,” Flesch mentioned. “I am not hitting pictures I do not really feel snug hitting. I am simply sort of, I hate the time period `taking part in inside myself,′ however I am simply hitting pictures I do know I can pull off and I am not taking pointless probabilities.”

Langer, the 64-year-old German star who leads the Charles Schwab Cup factors standings, additionally had a 67. He gained the Richmond occasion in 2017.

“The pins are robust and the greens are very agency,” Langer mentioned. “So, it is tough to get the ball close to the opening to cease when the pins are within the entrance, and when the pins are within the again, you do not go over the again, so it is a tough scenario.”

Alker, the 50-year-old New Zealander who had a one-stroke lead over Flesch after a gap 63, dropped again with a 70.

“I did not fairly clearly putt as properly,” Alker mentioned. “Sixty-three, you have to putt properly, so it wasn’t fairly there, however I did not give myself as many probabilities. Wedges weren’t as shut. Type of struggled on the again 9 somewhat bit.”

Tim Petrovic (67) and Doug Barron (68) had been 10 beneath, and Jeff Sluman (68) and Gene Sauers (68) adopted at 8 beneath.

Jim Furyk was 7 beneath after a 68.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson closed with quadruple-bogey 9 on the par-5 ninth for a 74. He was tied for forty ninth at 1 over.

Mickelson gained the Constellation Furyk and Buddies two weeks in the past in Florida for his third senior victory in 4 profession begins.