East Meadow, N.Y. ? Jim Thorpe tied a PGA Champions Tour record with a 10-under-par 60 to take the lead after the second round of the Long Island Classic Saturday.

With 10 birdies, Thorpe matched the record held by Bruce Fleisher, Walter Morgan and Isao Aoki.

Thorpe also broke his personal best of 62, shot on the PGA Tour in the 1985 Greater Milwaukee Open and on the senior tour in the Gold Rush Classic in 2000.

“My caddy told me he didn’t think this course would give up many birdies and that 5- or 6-under par would win,” Thorpe said. “It’s going to take more than that.”

Thorpe’s two-round total of 12-under 128 at the 6,797-yard Eisenhower Park Red Course left him two shots ahead of Bob Gilder, who shot a 66 to move to 10 under par.

Des Smyth posted a second straight 66 to get to 8 under, and Mike McCullough was another stroke back after shooting a 65. Fleisher, the first-round leader, followed an opening-round 62 with a 72 and dropped six shots back.

Thorpe switched putters after tying for 60th at the Senior PGA Championship and for 47th in the Farmers Charity Classic.

He’s now playing his fourth tournament with a shorter putter.

“My putter was beating me up about six weeks ago,” Thorpe said.

“When we reached the Ford Seniors Players three weeks ago, I pulled a brand new putter out of my bag,” Thorpe said. “It was 36 inches long and I like to go with one that is 34. I went into the pro shop and had it cut down and wound up tied for second. That putter is definitely in my bag for good.”

After shooting an opening 68, Thorpe still was not satisfied with his putting.

“I went to the greens and practiced for 50 minutes,” he said. “It certainly paid off.”