Bryce Molder shot a second-round six-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Houston Open on Friday.
American shoots six under 66 to hold halfway advantage
Bryce Molder shot a second-round six-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Houston Open on Friday.
The American's bogey-free effort enabled him to move clear of countryman Alex Prugh, who also shot 66, with Australian Cameron Percy (69) one stroke further back.
England's Lee Westwood, meanwhile, lies in a group of four on seven under after he carded a four-under-par under 68 at Redstone Golf Club.
Molder is chasing his first victory on the PGA Tour this weekend and is also playing in the knowledge that such a success would earn him an invitation to next week's Masters.
"If you tell me not to think about next week, or I'm trying to tell myself, well I'm still thinking about next week," he admitted.
"Put me on top of a building and tell me not to be scared, I'm still going to be scared."
First-round co-leader Percy said that he too was thinking about earning a last-minute ticket to the first major of the season.
"Anyone in my position would be thinking about it," he said. "It would be a dream come true to ring up my mates and say 'come over next week.'"
The day brought two holes-in-one, with Lucas Glover achieving the feat at the par-three 16th with a six iron to become the first player to record an ace since the event moved to its current venue in 2006.
Shortly afterwards, Woody Austin repeated the feat at the par-three seventh.
Up and down
Westwood had an up-and-down round on Friday, with seven birdies being cancelled by three bogeys.
The Worksop player admitted he had lost his focus at times on a breezy Texas day.
"The wind got up a little earlier, and at times out there I was a bit undisciplined," said Westwood, who is tied with Americans Anthony Kim, Joe Ogilvie and Kevin Stadler.
"I went for a couple of flags I shouldn't have gone for. I played over-confident, tried to play a couple of secret shots. I should have just aimed 30 feet left or right of the hole. All in all it was pretty good.
"I could have made two hole in ones in the last three holes on seven, to about 18 inches, must have lipped out and nine, grazed the hole as well. Missed that one. It was a solidish day. Probably 13 greens in there in regulation.
"When I did hit greens, I hit it close. And I'm pleased with the position I'm in for the weekend."
Padraig Harrington stands on six under thanks to a second consecutive 69 of the week to put him in a tie for eighth.
But several big names looking to hone their games ahead of the Masters instead found themselves missing the cut.
Australia's Geoff Ogilvy (73) double-bogeyed the last to bow out, with Germany's Martin Kaymer (76) and Ulster's Rory McIlroy (73) also finishing their week's work early.
However, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson both advanced to the final 36 holes despite enduring frustrating days.
Ricochet
Els shot 74 to fall nine strokes behind, one stroke better than Mickelson, who carded a 76 that included a triple bogey at the 10th.
After pulling his drive into a bush, Mickelson took a right-handed swipe at the ball - which hit him on the leg before ricocheting back into the bush.
Mickelson was penalised one stroke for being hit by the ball and decided to take a further one-stroke penalty so that he could drop his ball clear.
