Verplank pushes to 3-shot lead with back-nine surge at Disney

11/8/2008

Scott Verplank shot his second straight 8-under 64 Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney, the final official PGA Tour event of the season

Verplank, who sank a 60-foot putt on 14 for an eagle 3, which came among five back-nine birdies, has suddenly found his putting stroke and hinted his round could have been better in what he called perfect playing conditions.

Steve Marino (66) and Troy Matteson (68) were tied for second, but the real drama was at the bottom of the standings.

Friday was cut day in the event that ends the race for spots in the top 125 on the final money list, the cutoff for full 2009 PGA Tour.

Whether he comes in at 125 depends on what happens this weekend with the players behind him who made the cut at 5 under.

Bob Tway, who played with Verplank and shot a 62 after a first-round 73, made the cut and needs to finish in the top 12 to make the top 125. Tway, ranked 131st, and Verplank combined for 20 birdies on the Palm Course on Friday.

Erik Compton, who's had two heart transplants and got a sponsor exemption, shot a 68 and made the cut by two strokes. He'll play in the second round of Q-school next week, only six months after his second transplant.

Verplank was tied for the two-day tournament record before a bogey on 18. The record of 17 under is held by Cris DiMarco, Carl Petterson and Justin Rose.

Leaderboard – Round 2:

1.    Scott Verplank                   USA  64 64 128 -16
2.    Steve Marino                     USA  67 66 131 -13
       Troy Matteson                   USA  63 68 131 -13
4.    Robert Gomez                   USA  65 67 132 -12
       Tag Ridings                      USA  66 66 132 -12
       Robert Garrigus                 USA  65 67 132 -12
7.    Ken Duke                         USA  66 67 133 -11
       Jason Gore                       USA  66 67 133 -11
       Kevin Streelman                USA  64 69 133 -11
       Tom Pernice jr.                  USA  66 67 133 -11
       Bob Estes                         USA  70 63 133 -11
       Scott Sterling                    USA  70 63 133 -11

124. Alex Čejka                       GER  76 73 149 +5

Source: AP, PGA Tour