Golf: Rain, birdies fall during Canadian Open

Mark Calcavecchia lines up a putt on the 9th green during the continuation of the second round of the Canadian Open Golf championship in Oakville, Ontario. (Frank Gunn/The Associated Press)

Oakville, Ontario » Jason Dufner flirted with a 59, then settled for a 9-under 63. Mark Calcavecchia made a PGA Tour-record nine straight birdies. And there were two more aces in perfect scoring conditions Saturday at the Canadian Open.

The fun didn't last long, giving way to 1.8 inches of rain on the already-saturated Glen Abbey course. Soon after Dufner finished the second round in light showers, the heavy rain forced tour officials to postpone the third round until this morning. Four inches of rain have fallen since the event began Thursday.

In an attempt to get 36 holes in today, the tour cut to the low 60 and ties instead of the usual low 70 and ties, leaving 64 players in the event.

At 13 under, Dufner had a one-stroke advantage over Jerry Kelly (67) and Scott Verplank (67).

Calcavecchia opened the delayed second round with two pars, then reeled off nine straight birdies.

"It's just fly it right to the stick," he said. "You give the guys out here no wind and greens that are plugging, you're going to see a lot of low scores."

Calcavecchia broke the record set by Bob Goalby in his 1961 St. Petersburg Open victory and matched by Fuzzy Zoeller (1976 Quad Cities Open), Dewey Arnette (1987 Buick Open), Edward Fryatt (2000 Doral-Ryder Open), J.P. Hayes (2002 Bob Hope Classic) and Kelly (2003 Las Vegas Invitational).

Senior British Open

Greg Norman shot a bogey-free 6-under 64 to grab the lead by a stroke heading into the last round of the Senior British Open in Sunningdale, England. Norman was at 10-under 200, a stroke ahead of overnight leader Fred Funk (72) and Loren Roberts (67).

Tom Watson's hopes of improving on his runner-up spot in the British Open last week took a hit after a 70 left him six shots behind Norman.

Evian Masters

Becky Brewerton of Wales shot a 3-under 69 in Evian-les-Bains, France, to grab a share of the Evian Masters lead for the third straight round. Brewerton was tied with Sophie Gustafson of Sweden and In-Kyung Kim of South Korea at 12-under 204.