TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND -- Tom Watson's bid to win his first major as a senior was upstaged by his playing partner yesterday -- and it wasn't Jack Nicklaus. The Senior British Open was billed as a rematch of the 1977 British Open, when Watson edged Nicklaus by one stroke at the same Turnberry links. Only someone forgot to tell Carl Mason.

The unheralded Englishman shot a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to take a one stroke lead into today's third round at nine-under 131.

Watson added a 67 to his first-round 66 and is tied for third behind American D.A. Weibring, who had a 63 for 132. Tom Kite also shot a 67 and is tied with Watson and another American, Bruce Summerhays (65), at 133.

"I putted very well today but my golf swing was held together by bailing wire and duct tape today," said Watson, a five-time British Open winner.

"I played a very scratchy round and I watched Carl Mason play a very, very good round of golf. He was very precise in what he was doing and I need to pick up on that and do the same."

Inkster sets course record

EVIAN, France -- Juli Inkster shot a course-record eight-under-par 64 yesterday and moved into a tie for the lead with fellow American Rosie Jones after three rounds of the Evian Masters.

Inkster opened with an eagle on the par-four first, and finished with seven birdies and a bogey to move to 14-under 202.

Jones, who held a one-stroke lead after two rounds, had a 67.

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam of Sweden shot a 67, moving from 34th place into a tie for 18th, 10 strokes behind the leaders.