GREENSBORO, North Carolina: American Jimmy Walker fired a bogey-free eight-under par 62 on Friday to seize a one-stroke lead in the second round of the storm-interrupted US PGA Wyndham Championship. Walker stood on 12-under 128 through 36 holes, one stroke ahead of reigning US Open champion Webb Simpson of the United States, the defending tournament champion who fired a 63. Spain's Sergio Garcia, Sweden's Carl Pettersson, American Harrison English and South Africa's Tim Clark shared third on 130 but players were scattered across the course, all with six holes or fewer to complete. Walker birdied the second and third holes and closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies as well. He birdied the 11th and then charged in with birdies at the par-5 15th, par-3 16th and par-4 17th to grab the lead.
"It was pretty boring-looking golf -- not a lot of drivers, not a lot of 3-woods," Walker said. "There's a lot of 5-woods and some irons, and it's just kind of placement around the golf course." Walker, 33, is seeking his first PGA title. He had three top-10 finishes in his first six tournaments of the season but suffered a left knee injury and skipped the US Open for treatment on the injury. He snatched the top spot from Simpson, who closed with four birdies in the final five holes in his own charge up the leaderboard.
"To play a round on a golf course this tricky without a bogey is always a good thing," Simpson said. Pettersson, who led after an opening-round 62, birdied the par-5 15th in a two-under 68 second round to stumble back. "I struggled. Didn't have much, but I thought it was a good comeback," said Pettersson. "Two-under par was OK for the game that I had, and hopefully I can hit the ball better on the weekend and have a chance." American Tim Herron matched the tournament record with a 61 but was seven strokes off the pace. "I didn't really have anything to lose," Herron said. "I kind of zoned in a little bit today and just kind of kept rolling and making putts." Herron hopes to advance at least eight spots on the points list to crack the top 125 and qualify for the PGA playoffs that begin next week at The Barclays. Among those missing the cut and on the bubble for reaching the field next week were American Boo Weekley, rated 121st on the points list, and No. 125 Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.
Mika Miyazato, Sydnee Michaels set pace
In North Plains, Oregon, Mika Miyazato and Sydnee Michaels overcame hot conditions to shoot 7-under 65 on Friday and share the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic.
Miyazato and Michaels each had eight birdies and a bogey on Pumpkin Ridge's Ghost Creek Course.
Michaels, who won twice last year on the developmental Symetra Tour, had her best round of her rookie season. She's coming off a career-best 21st-place tie last week in the Toledo Classic.
"It's been hit or miss," Michaels said. "I'll be in contention and I might have a little shaky Sunday, and wind up top 30 or something like that or I'll miss the cut by one or two.
"Last year, I hit my stride at the end of the season, so I'm hoping I follow that pattern."
Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Pornanong Phatlum were a stroke back. So Yeon Ryu, the Toledo Classic winner last week, was two shots behind at 67 along with Brittany Lincicome, Alison Walshe and Jee Young Lee.
Michelle Wie opened with a 69, top-ranked Yani Tseng had a 70, defending champion Suzann Pettersen shot 71, and second-ranked Stacy Lewis had a 73.
Miyazato, winless on the LPGA Tour, made four consecutive birdies during the middle of her round and pulled into a tie for the lead with a birdie on the 431-yard, par-4 18th, the toughest hole Friday.
The Japanese player has five top-10 finishes this season.
"To begin the season, I was not so very good with my golf game," Miyazato said. "I start to shoot right in the last couple four, five events. I'm gaining more confidence."
Park had a chance to join the leaders after reaching 6 under through 15 holes with two par 5s remaining, but settled for a 66. Pornanong had a roller-coaster round, with nine birdies and three bogeys, and Kerr birdied four of her final six holes.
