JOIN USSteve Stricker, who has never finished in the top-10 at this event in the past 11 years, knocked in a hole-in-one while capturing the sole lead after a round of 67.
Stricker was at nine-under 135, three shots clear of Rory McIlroy (72), Ricky Barnes (70), Jonathan Byrd (67) and Australian Rod Pampling (66), who lost his PGA Tour card last year.
Indians disappoint
All three Indians, Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia missed the cut at the SAAB Wales Open in Celtic Manor, Wales on Friday.
Jeev, who with his first-round 68 had raised visions of a good finish, disappointed on the second day as he carded a disastrous 79, one of his worst rounds in a long time, and missed the cut at an event where he was sixth in 2009 and tenth in 2008.
Kapur, who had a 73 in first round added a similar card to be four-over for 36 holes and missed the cut, which came at two-over. Chowrasia also added a 77 to his first round 73 and took an early exit.
Sweden’s Alex Noren took over the lead with a second straight 67.
Gangjee misses cut
A disastrous day on the greens saw Rahil Gangjee card five-over 76 and miss the cut at the Nationwide Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open in Marylnd, US.
Gangjee’s total of 149 was way below the 141 at which the cut was settled.