GOLF ROUNDUP : Nelson Has 9-Under-Par Round in Japan

MIYAZAKI, Japan â€”  Larry Nelson had an eagle and seven birdies for a 9-under-par 63 today and a share of the lead with defending champion Larry Mize after the second round of the $1.54-million Dunlop Phoenix, Japan’s richest tournament.

Nelson and Mize, who had eight birdies and a bogey in a round of 65, have a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman with 10-under 134 totals after two rounds on the 6,993-yard, par-72 Phoenix Country Club course.

“You can never shoot a 63 without putting well, but even though I’ve putted better in the past I’ve never chipped so well,� Nelson said.

“This tournament is very important to me. Outside the four majors this is the one I want to win.�

Nelson was one stroke away from tying the course record of 62 set in 1989 by fellow American Fred Couples.

“I was pleasantly surprised,� Mize said, “I drove the ball well, hit my irons solidly and putted well. I hope I can do more of the same for the final two rounds.�

Japan’s Tsukasa Watanabe was fourth at 137 and Scott Simpson fifth at 138.

First-round leader David Ishii shot a 2-over 74 that left him tied for sixth at 139 with two-time champion Seve Ballesteros, Mike Reid, Craig Stadler and Japan’s Naomichi (Joe) Ozaki. Ballesteros moved into contention with a 68.

Also within distance of the leaders at 140 were former champion Tom Watson and Graham Marsh of Australia.

J.C.Snead and Hsu Chi-san of Taiwan shot 5-under-par 67s to share the lead after the first round of the Ben Hogan Senior Cup golf tournament at Moroyamamachi, Japan--.

Snead, who joined the senior tour in October, three-putted for a bogey on the first hole but picked up an eagle on the next. He had six birdies, including three straight from the 15th hole, on the 6,738-yard, par-72 Edelweiss golf club course, northeast of Tokyo.

“I three-putted three times today,� Snead said. “The greens were very difficult, but my iron shots were very good.�

Orville Moody is one stroke back at 68.