Veteran Watson takes control at Whistling Straits

CHICAGO, July 7 (Reuters) Tom Watson shrugged off swing doubts to upstage his younger rivals and forge three strokes clear in the second round of the U S Senior Open in Kohler, Wisconsin.

The eight-times major winner fired a six-under-par 66 on a relatively calm morning at Whistling Straits for an eight-under total of 136, yesterday.

Fellow American Ben Crenshaw carded a 67 to share second spot at five under with compatriots Loren Roberts (69) and Lonnie Nielsen (71), plus Argentine Vicente Fernandez (70) and Irishman Des Smyth (69).

First-round leader Eduardo Romero of Argentina, who opened with a 66, was also at five under with three holes to play before bogeying the 16th and running up a triple-bogey at the last for a 77.

Watson, whose glittering career includes victories at the Senior British Open in 2003 and 2005, charged into the lead by piling up eight birdies and just two bogeys.

''Whatever wind we had was really not a big factor and the golf course was there for the taking if you knew how to play it,'' the 57-year-old told reporters.

''I felt for the most part it was pretty darn good but I made some awkward swings out there to hit some awkward shots.

But I got away with them for the most part.'' ONE BETTER Watson has had to settle for second place at the event three times in the last five years and would dearly love to go one better at Whistling Straits.

''It would be nice to not finish second again and come back with that beautiful trophy, it sure would,'' he said.

''I have had my opportunities in this championship and it means a great deal.'' Romero, who clinched his first major title in the senior ranks at last year's Tradition on the Champions Tour, said he had suffered during the second round with a painful back.

''Yesterday after finishing I go to the practice range and then I hit a bag and then my back it was hurt,'' the 52-year-old from Cordoba said.

''But it is okay now. It's two more rounds to go and I'm still there, just one-under.'' The cut fell at four over with twice champion Hale Irwin and fellow American Allen Doyle, who had been bidding for an unprecedented third successive US Senior Open victory, among those missing out.

REUTERS BJR HT0912