Australia's Steve Allan fired a 7-under-par 65 on Saturday at Mission Hills Country Club to seize a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
The 51-year-old Allan, who got in the field because Steve Stricker withdrew on Monday due to a bad back, matched his lowest Champions Tour score to put himself into position for his first title on this tour. Allan credited countryman Cameron Percy, who shared the first-round lead, with helping him this week.
"Nice to be really striking the ball well," Allan said. "I had a good first round last week but, as the wind picked up, and it wasn't even that windy. I struggled with it last week and had a little adjustment this week.
"I got a tip from Cameron Percy the other day, which helped, and I've been hitting the ball really well. So even though the wind was picking up, I was a bit more confident than I was last week."
Alln holds a one-shot edge over Tag Ridings, who tied the tournament record for lowest 18-hole score as he produced a 9-under 63. That equaled the mark set last year by Ricardo Gonzalez. Neither Allan nor Ridings have status on the Champions Tour, so they have extra incentive Sunday.
"It's a big boost of confidence (to shoot a 63)," said Ridings, who earned a spot via Tuesday's open qualifier. "But, more than confidence out here, you need status. I'm here to do something good tomorrow and work that out. ... Every step of the ladder is a big deal."
The 50-year-old Ridings, playing his second Tour event, climbed one shot ahead of New Zealand's Steven Alker, Australia's Percy and Jason Caron. They're all at 8-under-par as Alker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, matched Allan's 65.
First-round co-leader Bernhard Langer dropped four shots off the pace as he followed his first-round 67 – equaling his age – with a 1-under 71. Miguel Angel Jimenez delivered the day's third 7-under 65 to recover from his first-round 73 and pull within four shots of the lead.
"I finished almost like a pure black horse instead of a donkey," Jimenez said.
Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa is tied for 16th at 4 under.
Rocco Mediate and Mark Calcavecchia withdrew in the second round due to injury, the tour announced.