Fred Couples shot a 5-under 66 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Senior Players Championship in Harrison, N.Y., the Champions Tour’s final major of the season.
The Seattle native is at 8 under and trying for his fifth Champions Tour victory. Playing in his first event since undergoing a revolutionary blood-work procedure called Orthokine for his ailing back six weeks ago in Germany, Couples has put together two solid rounds at Westchester Country Club’s tree-lined West Course.
“I drove the ball very well,” Couples said. “I didn’t make many mistakes. … I don’t want to say I left any out there. I did miss a couple, but I made a few too, so it was a good day.”
Of his new pain-free back, he added: “I haven’t had any shot that I’ve hit out there, whether it was a putt or a wedge or a driver, where it’s felt bad.”
Peter Senior remains in second at 7 under after a second-round 69. Corey Pavin is third at 6 under after a second-round 69. John Cook is fourth at 5 under after a second-round 68, one stroke ahead of defending champion Mark O’Meara.
“To be in contention is good for me, to go out Saturday and kind of get the feeling of having to hit a good shot here, make a putt there or get it up and down,” Couples said. “So I’m in good spirits about the way I’m feeling and playing.”
CHIP SHOTS
Tommy Gainey shot a 5-under 65 to move to 12-under 128 and take a three-stroke lead over Ernie Els (66), Webb Simpson (65), Stuart Appleby (67) and Daniel Summerhays (65) after two rounds of the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C.. … Na Yeon Choi double-bogeyed the par-4 final hole, but her 6-under 65 held up for a two-shot lead over veteran Grace Park after the first round of the LPGA Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, Ore. … Jose Manuel Lara shot a 4-under 68 to move into first at 7-under 137 as a thunderstorm cut short the second round of the Czech Open in Celadna. Nine groups need to complete their rounds today. … Former Masters champion Mike Weir had surgery in Toronto to repair a torn tendon in his right elbow. The left-handed Canadian is not expected back on the PGA Tour until 2012.
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