Players delighted by calm conditions

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 | 10:14 a.m.

Will any more records be shattered at this year's Las Vegas Senior Classic?

If the winds are calm, anything is possible.

Last year, winner Larry Nelson's three-round total of 19-under-par 197 set a tournament record for lowest total. His five-stroke victory over Bruce Fleisher and Hale Irwin also was the largest in tournament history.

Nelson became the first player since Chi Chi Rodriguez in 1990 to shoot three consecutive rounds at the Senior Classic in the 60s.

Nelson went on to win five more tournaments last year, his best since he joined the Senior Tour.

His success can be attributed to his fine play, but also to the fact that tournament officials decided last year to hold the event strictly at the TPC at Summerlin instead of at both Summerlin and the TPC at the Canyons.

Under high winds and poor weather conditions, professionals have long lamented the difficulties of playing at the Canyons. They agree that Summerlin is a more fair course under harsh conditions.

Until last year, no winning score had been higher than 6-under-par or lower than 13-under.

McCullough, a two-time winner on the senior circuit this year, has played in 156 consecutive tournaments for which he has been eligible. Quigley, a Senior Tour member for four years, has played in 125 consecutive tournaments and 138 consecutive tournaments for which he was eligible.

There have been eight times in 15 years when a player leading or tied for the lead entering the final round has won.