11/07/2008 - Lake Buena Vista, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Verplank fired his second consecutive eight-under 64 on Friday to move atop the leaderboard after the second round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank finished 36 holes at 16-under 128, which missed the tournament record by a stroke, and he is three shots clear of Steve Marino (66) and overnight leader Troy Matteson (68).
Players competed with amateurs the first two days and action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course. Verplank's round on Friday was at the Palm Course, while Marino and Matteson posted their numbers at Magnolia, which hosts the final two rounds.
This is the final PGA Tour event of the season and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.
The top three golfers on the leaderboard are safe, but the trio tied for fourth are on the outside looking into the top 125.
Robert Gamez (190th), Tag Ridings (154th) and Robert Garrigus (141st) share fourth place at 12-under 132.
The other big story this week is that of Erik Compton, who is playing on a sponsor's exemption. Compton is five weeks removed from his second heart transplant and he will be playing on the weekend.
Compton shot a four-under 68 at the Magnolia Course and came in at six-under 138, one shot better than the cut line.
Verplank started well with a birdie at the par-five first, but dropped a shot at the par-four fourth. He rattled off back-to-back birdies from No. 6 to reach 10-under for the championship.
Verplank flew out of the gate on his back nine with birdies at 10 and 11. He parred the next two, but grabbed sole possession of the lead with a 60-foot eagle at the par-five 14th.
"It was kind of one of those deals where I misread it a little bit, but from 60 feet, every now and then you need to get a little lucky," admitted Verplank.
That eagle sparked some great golf from the two-time Ryder Cupper. Verplank birdied his next three holes to get to 17-under par and a par at the last would give Verplank a share of the 36-hole record.
Unfortunately, Verplank drove into a bunker at the last. He could not save par, but still has a three-shot lead in his quest for a sixth PGA Tour victory.
Verplank has only two top 10s this year and the problem has been his usually reliable flat stick.
"I've been a decent player for a long time, and I've generally been a pretty good putter most of my career and it's been a real struggle this year," acknowledged Verplank, who ranks 72nd on tour in putting. "I've gotten back into a little comfort zone."
Ken Duke (67), Jason Gore (67), Kevin Streelman (69), Tom Pernice, Jr. (67), Bob Estes (63) and Scott Sterling (63) are tied for seventh place at 11-under 133. Gore and Sterling are both outside the top 125.
Martin Laird is 126th and shot a 66 on Friday to get into a tie for 13th at minus-10. Jeff Overton is the bubble boy at 125 and is one shot behind Laird at nine-under 135.
Defending champion Stephen Ames is in the hunt. He shot his second straight, four-under 68 and is part of a large group tied for 27th place at eight-under 136.
The cut fell at five-under 139 and former PGA Champion Steve Elkington (140), Jesper Parnevik (141) and Brad Faxon (144) will all miss the weekend.
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<< Newcastle's Kinnear slams Owen rumors
Newcastle, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear has
denied reports which suggested Michael Owen could join Chelsea in the January
transfer window.
The 28-year-old striker's future on Tyneside remains uncertain
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Rome, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri has urged the
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<< Aberdeen's Duff set for knee surgery
Aberdeen, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aberdeen midfielder Stuart Duff is
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Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United midfielder Owen
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Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc will have
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Mark Brown will replace the Poland i
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Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie
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Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster doesn't want
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Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game
How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.
The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).
Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.
The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).
Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
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