Skies clear, plot thickens

Friday’s showers gave way Saturday, but the conditions weren’t any easier for the Toshiba Classic field at the Newport Beach Country Club.

Judging from the scores, the conditions were a little tougher on the golfers. Though Friday’s top score was Bob Eastwood’s six-under-par 65, Saturday’s was 67, shot by Tom Purtzer, Jay Haas, Allen Doyle, Jose Maria Canizares and Mike McCullough. Canizares had the tournament’s first hole-in-one on the eighth, when he used a five-iron to hit the ball 187 yards into the cup.

Purtzer, who shot a 68 on Friday, has a two-day score of 135 and goes into today’s action tied for the lead with Bob Eastwood and Graham Marsh. Purtzer won the Toshiba Classic in 2004.

Eastwood and Marsh overcame rocky starts to stay tied for the lead. Marsh shot a 69 on Saturday and Eastwood finished with a 70. Eastwood had to birdie four of his last five holes to stay with the leaders.

Vicente Fernandez, Joe Inman and Dave Eichelberger are one stroke back at 136. Fernandez and Inman shot 68s for the second straight day, and Eichelberger shot a 69 after posting a 67 on Friday.

Mark “The Beer Man” Johnson, Walter Hall, John Harris, Doyle and Haas are just two shots behind the leaders at 137. Johnson is the tournament’s defending champion.