Haas, Jacobsen in spotlight

NEWPORT BEACH — In one corner there is the champ, yet in the other there is a fighter. Today, they’ll come out swinging.

With a one-stroke lead, Jay Haas, last year’s Charles Schwab Cup champion, has the advantage, but Peter Jacobsen, who had laser back surgery just last week, might retaliate with a winning combination at Newport Beach Country Club.

But for now, Haas is the man to beat after he shot seven-under-par 64 Saturday to tie the Toshiba Classic 36-hole record of 129, set by Rodger Davis in 2003.

Haas was one of four to finish the second round with a 64, as Jacobsen, Joe Ozaki and Craig Stadler did the same.

R.W. Eaks, who, like Haas, shot 65 Friday, is two behind the lead after his second-round 66. Haas, Jacobsen and Eaks will tee off on No. 1 in today’s final round at 12:35 p.m.

Jacobsen will try to continue his remarkable play amid recovery. He still has three stitches over each of two incisions on his back. Just to be where he’s at has excited Jacobsen.

“I came out with no expectations this week,” Jacobsen said. “It is overwhelming in the way I feel … To be right here by the lead in the tournament is fantastic. Hopefully I can keep it up the rest of the week through [today].”

Haas quickly realized Jacobsen has changed since the surgery, especially the way Jacobsen was working the media room.

“I went from the operating room to the interview room,” Jacobsen said.

That’s not the Jacobsen Haas saw last month in Naples, Fla.

“The look on his face, you could tell he feels better,” Haas said of Jacobsen. “When I saw him at Naples, I don’t want to say he was cranky, but he just wasn’t his usual giddy self … I can see it in his face that he’s excited.”

Haas seemed pretty happy himself Saturday. He is seeking his first win on the Champions Tour this year. Last year he won four times on his way to the Schwab Cup (season points leader) and the Arnold Palmer award (leading money winner).

This year, he has been hot with four top-five finishes in six tournaments, including three second-place showings.

“I really played well at our first tournament this year,” Haas said. “I won’t say I should have won by now, but I am playing well and that is a carry-over from last year.”

Eaks certainly thinks Haas can win. Haas is showing it, as he’s still bogey-free and he has nailed 13 birdies through the 36 holes, which with Jacobsen.

“I don’t think anyone can beat him [today],” Eaks said of Haas. “He’s playing good and he knows how to win. I’ve played with him too much. I’ve seen it a long time.”

Haas started strong early with birdies on three of the first four holes and shot five-under 30 on the front. He nearly added to his lead, but missed a six-foot putt or birdie on the final hole.

For a gallery of photos from the Toshiba Classic click here