JERICHO, New York (Ticker) -- Bob Gilder looks to capture his third straight tournament beginning Friday when the $1.7 million Lightpath Long Classic gets under way.

The 2001 Senior Tour Rookie of the Year, Gilder has won the last two weekends in playoffs. He needed one extra hole to defeat Hale Irwin at the SBC Senior Open and three extra holes to best John Mahaffey last weekend at the FleetBoston Classic.

Gilder became the first player on the tour to win in playoffs in consecutive weeks since Lee Elder in 1985.

By capturing the last two events, Gilder has moved into second on this year's money list with $1.32 million. Irwin, who tops the list at $1.71 million, also is entered in this week's field.

Irwin and Gilder did not enjoy much success here last year, finishing 21st and 28th, respectively. Irwin finished eight strokes behind champion Bobby Wadkins and Gilder was nine back.

Along with Irwin and Gilder, who both have won twice this year, the field also features two-time winners Tom Kite, Doug Tewell and Bruce Lietzke.

Also entered is Bruce Fleisher, who won consecutive titles here in 1999 and 2000 before he was unseated by Wadkins. Fleisher tied for seventh last year, four shots off the pace.

At last year's event, Wadkins came from four shots down on the final day to record a one-stroke victory over Allen Doyle and Larry Nelson.

Wadkins' win in came in his first Senior Event as he became the tournament's youngest winner at 50.

This is the 15th year of the event. It was known as the Northville Invitational in 1988 and the Northville Long Island Classic from 1989-1998 before assuming its current name.

The Meadow Brook Club course is a par-71 this year, down a stroke from past years. The difference is at hole No. 3, which has been shortened to a 455-yard par-4 from a 485-yard par-5.

There also was another change to the course after greens at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 were damaged by vandals Monday night. The par-3 fourth was so badly damaged that only the front half of the green will be used in the tournament. The overall length of the hole was shortened from 195 yards to 150.