Couples one step closer to first senior major

Harrison, NY – Fred Couples has been one of the most year-old.

This week has been different so far, however, as Couples' three-under 68 on Saturday gave him a one-shot lead after three rounds of the Senior Players Championship.

Couples, who has 19 professional victories -- including four last year on the senior tour -- but only one major championship, finished 54 holes at 11-under 202. It's the second Champions Tour major he's led after three rounds, finishing second at the 2010 U.S. Senior Open.

One of the reasons majors have eluded Couples this year more than others is because he hasn't played. He has suffered through back problems that forced him out of three of the first four majors this year, but he's making the most of his opportunity this week.

Couples didn't have as many birdies on Saturday as in the other two rounds, but for the first time didn't have a bogey.

John Cook and Peter Senior both birdied the last hole to get within one of Couples at 10-under 203. Cook shot a five-under 66 on Saturday, while Senior had a three-under 68; both are chasing their first Champions Tour major.

Corey Pavin (69) is alone in fourth at minus-eight, while defending champion Mark O'Meara (69) headlines a group of five players that share fifth at six- under.

MORE TO FOLLOW.