From beer trucks to birdies

Bryce Alderton

Mark Johnson drove beer trucks for 18 years, but on Saturday, the

former California state amateur champion revved up his golf game at

Newport Beach Country Club.

Johnson, 50, in his first full season on the PGA Champions Tour,

matched the best second round in tournament history with an

8-under-par 63 to go with a first-round 67 (130) and leads the

Toshiba Senior Classic by three strokes over Keith Fergus, who shot

5-under 66, heading into today’s final round.

Tom Jenkins, who began the day at 5-under, one shot behind

first-round leader Gil Morgan, is tied for third at 8-under with

Wayne Levi. Both Levi and Jenkins shot 3-under 68 Saturday, which

began with clouds and some light showers, but gave way to sunshine in

the afternoon.

Mike Reid, whose 6-under performance was second only to Johnson’s

round, along with Ben Crenshaw and Morgan, all sit at 7-under through

two rounds.

Johnson’s round featured seven birdies, an eagle on the par-5

third hole and one bogey, on the par-3 eighth.

“I was fortunate; I made numerous putts,” said Johnson, who drove

a Budweiser beer truck for 18 years, before embarking on a

professional golf career six years ago.

He also made a 64-foot chip shot for a birdie on the par-3 13th to

move to 11-under, giving him a three-shot lead over Crenshaw.

“That was a nice gift,” said Johnson, whose 130 is one stroke shy

of the 36-hole tournament record held by two-time champion Hale

Irwin.

Fergus (67-66 -- 133) tallied his third 66 in five tournament

rounds with two birdies and an eagle on his final five holes to creep

back into contention after starting the day two shots behind Morgan,

who went birdie-eagle on Nos. 14 and 15. Morgan shot a 1-under 70.

“I made more putts than I did [Friday],” Fergus said. “There are

birdies and eagles to be made.”

Johnson leads a Champions Tour event for the first time, and

Fergus said the leader will feel some pressure in today’s final

round. The two will be paired with Jenkins.

“If someone shoots 61 or 62 and jumps from 6-under, someone could

go low,” Fergus said. “A lot of guys are in it. It’s going to be a

shootout.”