TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – Meg Mallon shot the second-lowest score in LPGA Tour history Friday, completing a 10-under-par 60 in the second round of the Welch’s-Fry’s Classic.
Mallon left an 18-foot, downhill birdie attempt about 31/2 feet short on the last hole, squandering a chance to match the LPGA record of 59 recorded by Annika Sorenstam in Phoenix two years ago.
“It’s funny saying you’re disappointed to shoot 60, but when you get that close, it’s pretty exciting,” Mallon said.
Mallon started on the back nine of the cozy, 6,176-yard Dell Urich municipal course and birdied Nos. 10, 12-14 and 16 for a 30. On her back nine, Mallon made birdies at Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.
On her 16th hole, the seventh, Mallon’s 6-foot birdie putt curled away. She reached 10 under for the round and 16 under for the tournament on the next hole with a 12-foot birdie putt that barely reached the cup.
Mallon opened a three-shot lead over first-round leader Lorie Kane early in the second round.
Injuries behind him, Begay atop leaderboard again
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Although it might seem unfamiliar, Notah Begay III felt right at home atop the leaderboard at the Honda Classic.
Begay shot a 5-under 67 in Friday’s second round to take a share of the lead with David Peoples at 14-under 130 when play was suspended because of darkness.
Begay is a highly confident four-time winner on the PGA Tour who also played on Stanford’s 1994 national championship team. But after finishing the 2000 season ranked 20th on the money list, he battled back problems for two years, and he didn’t lead a tournament heading into the weekend until Friday.
Davis Love III, the only player in the tournament who’s among the top 10 in the world rankings, heads a long list of golfers within striking distance of the lead. Love (65), Tom Byrum (64) and Esteban Toledo (67) were 13 under.
Morgan avoids wind
to take command at SBC
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) – Early starter Gil Morgan avoided the afternoon wind that kept scores high and shot a 7-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead Friday in the SBC Classic.
Morgan had the fastest start of the day. He eagled the first hole and birdied the third at Valencia Country Club.
John Schroeder, who almost pulled out of the tournament because he felt sick in the morning, one-putted his last six holes to finish a stroke back.
Tom Purtzer opened with a 67 and is tied for third with James Mason.
The only other players in the field of 81 to break 70 were Sammy Rachels and Allen Doyle with 69s.
Defending champion Tom Kite was among those struggling in the wind. He shot a 74.
Other notable players over par included three-time tour player of the year Hale Irwin, who shot a 73.
Larry Nelson had a 75 and Fuzzy Zoeller a 76.
Purtzer, the first-round leader last year, made his move with a birdie on the 15th and a hole-in-one at the 16th. He used a 6-iron to ace the 194-yard hole.
“I don’t normally hit a 6-iron that far,” Purtzer said. “The wind had just come up and I think it was helping me about a half a club. It was just enough.”
Purtzer felt good about his position again because he likes the layout at Valencia.
“This is a great course for second shots,” he said. “I really felt good about my game coming in.
“I didn’t play last week because I wanted to come in here fresh and rested.”
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