Record Birdie Streak For Calcavecchia

Catching a short break from the wet weather, Calcavecchia took advantage of soft greens and preferred lies to set a new mark.

OAKVILLE, Ontario (AP) -- Mark Calcavecchia birdied nine straight holes Saturday in the Canadian Open to break the PGA Tour record.

In perfect morning scoring conditions at rain-softened Glen Abbey, Calcavecchia opened the delayed second round with two pars, then reeled off the nine straight birdies. His nine birdie putts were from 12 feet or closer.

He shot a 7-under 65 to finish two rounds at 8 under, five strokes behind leader Jason Dufner -- still playing his second round.

Calcavecchia, the 1989 British Open champion and 2005 Canadian Open winner at Shaughnessey in Vancouver, British Columbia, broke the record set by Bob Goalby in his 1961 St. Petersburg Open victory and matched by Fuzzy Zoeller (1976 Quad Cities Open), Dewey Arnette (1987 Buick Open), Edward Fryatt (2000 Doral-Ryder Open), J.P. Hayes (2002 Bob Hope Classic) and Kelly (2003 Las Vegas Invitational).

Hayes played alongside Calcavecchia on Saturday.

Because of the wet conditions, players were allowed to use preferred lies in the fairways -- just as they did in all four rounds last year in the rain-plagued event.

The streak ended on the par-4 third when the 49-year-old player's chip from over the green went 5 feet past. He saved par to remain 10 under, but dropped a stroke on the par-3 fourth after hitting into a greenside bunker and also bogeyed No. 8.

Calcavecchia opened with a 71 Thursday, then didn't make it onto the course Friday.

In the 2001 Phoenix Open, Calcavecchia broke the PGA Tour's 72-hole record with a 256 total -- shooting 65-60-64-67 to finish 26 under at TPC Scottsdale. Tommy Armour III broke that record in the 2003 Texas Open, finishing at 254.

Calcavecchia has 13 PGA Tour victories, the last in 2007 in the PODS Championship.