Murphy Is Strong at the Finish to Keep Senior Lead in Hawaii

LAHAINA, Hawaii —  Bob Murphy overcame a slow start but had three birdies over the final four holes Saturday to hold off Jerry McGee for a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Kaanapali Seniors Classic.

Murphy, who shot a nine-under-par 62 on Friday, saw his four-stroke lead slowly erode as McGee, Jack Kiefer and Tom Wargo began blitzing the 6,590-yard Kaanapali North Course on the island of Maui.

At different times, McGee moved within a stroke of Murphy, and Kiefer and Wargo were within two.

But Murphy, after making the turn in one-under 34, had birdies on 15, 16 and 18 for a 67 and two-round total of 13-under 129.

McGee finished with a 64, which put him alone in second at 130. Wargo matched the 64 to share third place with Kiefer at 131.

“I didn’t have as good a rhythm today,” Murphy said. “While the putts didn’t go in, they rolled close. I didn’t give away the day so I feel very good about tomorrow. It gives me a lot of confidence.”

McGee made the biggest charge. He made a 40-foot putt for an eagle on 15 and birdies on the next two holes to put him in contention for the $82,500 first prize.