ESPN Golf

HOOVER, Ala. -- Mark McNulty said he was "delighted" by his second-round lead at the Regions Charity Classic, but it was a little hard to tell.

Despite a one-stroke lead Saturday, he was stewing a bit over a shot into the water on No. 17 that led to a bogey and shrunk his advantage over Dick Mast and Brad Bryant.

"I'm still a little angry at myself for finishing as I did, but that's golf," McNulty said.

He made up for it on the par-4 final hole when he drained a 7-foot putt to preserve par -- and his lead -- to complete his second straight 67 round and move to 10-under 134.

That last putt could prove important with thunderstorms forecast for Sunday's final round and the potential for a rainout at Ross Bridge, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

"I was happy to make a 4 and get back the lead," McNulty said. "Who knows what tomorrow brings?"

McNulty hasn't finished higher than 10th in eight events this season, but is hardly the biggest underdog still fighting for first place.

That distinction belongs to Mast, who had a 66 and is trying to become the first Monday qualifier to win since Pete Oakley in the 2004 Senior British Open. He would earn a coveted exemption with a victory, and was embracing that pressure.

"I've thought about it the whole time," said Mast, who was limited by a hip injury in 2003 and 2004. "Everybody's different, but I need to push myself. I play better when I set goals and push myself.

"I set out to try to win the tournament. I know if I'm playing well I can."

McNulty, Tom McKnight, Keith Fergus and Scott Simpson were tied for the lead after the opening round. While the others faltered, McNulty matched his opening round performance despite playing even par over the final eight holes.

Bryant finished his second straight bogey-free round for a 67. He hit a 7-iron to within 3 feet of the par-4 hole No. 2 for birdie.

"It was probably my best shot of the week," Bryant said.

David Edwards (65) was two strokes off the lead at 136, while Loren Roberts, a three-time winner this season, was among a group of four players at 137. Roberts was tied with Des Smyth, Simpson and Tom McKnight

Edwards, a four-time PGA Tour winner in his second senior event, recorded birdies on two of the three holes he had bogeyed a day earlier on the back nine.

His brother, Danny, was two shots behind him with a 67.

They could become the first brothers to finish in the top 10 since Lanny and Bobby Wadkins were tied for seventh at the 2002 Siebel Classic. Sharing practice rounds and dinner seems to be paying off for both.

"It's been 10 years since Danny and I have been together on the same tour," David Edwards said.

Divots
The players will start on both the first and 10th tees Sunday morning because of expected thunderstorms, with the leaders teeing off at 10 a.m. CDT. ... Mast made his Champions Tour debut in this event in 2001, also as a Monday qualifier. ... McNulty has taken a lead into the final round on the Champions Tour five times, winning twice.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press