Kettering, Ohio ? On the day Arnold Palmer bowed out of his final major championship, Tom Watson took a big step toward winning yet another.

Watson, chasing his second senior major in two weeks, shot a 6-under 65 on Friday and was tied with Craig Stadler and Loren Roberts for the second-round lead in the U.S. Senior Open.

The leaders were upstaged by a tired Palmer’s post-round declaration that he no longer would play in any major championships. In his 50 years of Grand Slam competition, Palmer won seven majors and added five as a senior.

“My tournaments are getting down to a very few,” Palmer said after completing an 81 that left him at 166, missing the cut by 11 strokes. “As far as trying to compete in major championships such as the Open and other tournaments, this is it. I’m through doing it. I’m not going to do it anymore.”

Tears glistened in his eyes as he waved, doffed his visor and even bowed to the huge gallery, which gave him a standing ovation as he finished his round.

Watson, Stadler and Roberts – all of whom finished their rounds hours before Palmer’s emotional goodbye – were at 9-under 133, matching the tournament record for lowest score through 36 holes.

“It’s perfect conditions,” Watson said. “The greens are soft, so it’s easy to get the ball to stay by the hole. These greens are really holding – they’re holding a little bit too much probably.”

Watson began the day four shots behind Stadler, who tied the Senior Open’s first-round record with a 64.

Watson, who lost in a playoff to Don Pooley in the Senior Open three years ago, hit four shots within a foot for birdies, but fell back into a tie for the lead with a bogey on his last hole.

“Right now my swing feels pretty good, and I’m trusting it,” Watson said.