LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Justin Leonard shot an 8-under-par 64 in the second round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic on Friday, surging to the top of the leaderboard in the final PGA Tour event of the season.
Leonard had 11 birdies and three bogeys on a sun-baked day at Disney World, where 15 mph winds caused problems for some players.
Justin Rose (69) and George McNeill (66) were two strokes back at 134.
Chances to lock up a tour card next year are quickly fading for others. Only those who finish in the top 125 on the money list are guaranteed full status. The next 25 will at least get conditional status.
Former world No. 1 David Duval missed the cut and was among those who will likely lose their cards. Duval finished at 5-over 149 and near the bottom in the tournament.
Duval’s runner-up finish at the U.S. Open this year and his 2001 British Open championship will get him into the first three majors next year. But losing his full status on tour is a demoralizing blow in a once shining career that has sputtered for nearly a decade.
“It’s not a position you want to be in,” the resident of Cherry Hills Village said. “It’s not fun, but, really, I haven’t been focusing on it a whole lot.”
Tiger leads Aussie event
MELBOURNE, Australia — Tiger Woods opened with two birdies, saved his round with two par putts in the middle and kept bogeys off his card on his way to a 4-under 68 that gave him a three-shot lead at the Australian Masters.
Despite losing his swing and at times his temper, Woods built a comfortable margin over Jason Dufner (67—137) and Australians James Nitties (71) and Greg Chalmers (69).
“You can ask any player whether it’s possible and we would all agree that yes, sure it is,” Chalmers said of overtaking Woods. “But I’m sure Tiger is sitting at home in his hotel going, ‘Ain’t no chance.’ But it’s golf. Crazy things can happen.”
Shin takes route 66 to lead
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Jiyai Shin shot a 6-under 66 for a three-stroke lead over Michelle Wie (66—136) and Paula Creamer (69) after the second round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
The Associated Press
