Unheralded Mason, Dominant Irwin Tied at 3m Championship

Sportsticker

  
 
   

BLAINE, Minnesota (Ticker) -- The final grouping Sunday at the 3M Championship will consist of a club pro and a pro's pro.

Unheralded James Mason was caught by Senior PGA Tour star Hale Irwin but maintained a share of the lead after Saturday's second round of the $1.75 million event.

Mason managed a par 72 and is at 8-under 134 after two trips over the TPC of the Twin Cities. Irwin carded a 2-under 70, erasing a two-stroke deficit and moving into position for his third win of the season.

A club pro from Dillard, Georgia, Mason stunned the field Friday by setting the course record by posting his lowest round on the elder circuit.

The leading money winner in Senior Tour history, Irwin also dropped off a bit after opening with a 66. He has 34 career titles to one for Mason, who won the NFL Golf Classic in June as a Monday qualifier.

The men played together Saturday and will do so again Sunday. They are at 8-under 136, three shots in front of a group of five that includes Bob Gilder, who won a pair of tournaments in playoffs last month.

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