Castle Rock’s Bill Loeffler still was swinging Saturday in the third round of the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado Golf Club.

Loeffler, a club pro and co-owner of Highlands Ranch Golf Club, shot a 3-under 69 in the opening round Thursday, then suffered through a 10-over round of 82 on Friday. Loeffler made the cut on the number when the cut line shifted from 6- to 7-over.

With an opportunity to compete on the weekend, Loeffler made the most of it. Teeing off with the second group at 6:55 a.m., Loeffler made five birdies and two bogeys en route to a 3-under 69. Asked the last time he had successive rounds of 69, 82 and 69, he replied, “Never.”

“I finally had some rhythm I didn’t have yesterday,” said Loeffler, who at 4-over is tied with James Blair III and Lindy Miller for the lead among club professionals.

Loeffler said the biggest difference between his play Friday and Saturday was his putting. He ditched his belly putter after the second round and on Saturday used a standard-length putter – the first time he used one in competition in about a decade.

“It just felt better,” he said. “And I think the greens were a little faster, and that helped my speed.”

A 65? On how many holes?

Jay Don Blake was asked Saturday if – because of the swirling wind – he was surprised by some of the low scores, including David Frost’s course-record 65.

“I was up on the practice greens, I think I seen Frostie come up from 15 green up to the clubhouse,” Blake said. “He didn’t play the last three, I don’t think.”

Heading into the final day of the Senior PGA, Tom Lehman is tied for the lead with Jay Don Blake. Photo by Associated Press