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Leaney holes putts to take the lead at Pods Championship

On a golf course where Stephen Leaney said there were no easy holes, the Australian had a simple explanation for how he wound up atop the leaderboard at the Pods Championship on Friday.

"I've probably holed more putts than anyone," Leaney said.

Staring into a bright sun that toyed with his depth perception, Leaney watched a 40-foot birdie putt on the last hole tumble in for birdie and a 4-under 67, giving him a one-shot lead over Heath Slocum on an Innisbrook course that won't let anyone get too far ahead.

Defending champion K J Choi and Chris DiMarco were among those another shot behind, but the true measure of this tournament was found further down the leaderboard. Only 37 players remained under par and 27 of them were within four shots of the lead.

Brad Faxon was only four shots behind until he struggled down the stretch and made the cut on the number. Even so, he and the others in last place were only eight shots behind.

"When you shoot under par on this golf course, you've got to feel pretty good," said Slocum, who felt great after a 69.

Leaney couldn't remember the last time he made more than a few putts longer than 10 feet, and he won't have a problem now. The shortest of his six birdie putts was 12 feet, the 40-footer on the 18th hole gave him the lead, and he even picked up what he called a miracle birdie along the way.

Leaney had 250 yards for his third shot on the par-5 fifth, hit it into the rough, then chipped in.

"This golf course just wears you out," said the 37-year-old Leaney, who was at 6-under 136.

Even course officials were concerned when the tournament moved from late October to early March, causing a drastic change in the grass. Instead of the dry, crispy conditions in the fairway and prevalent Bermuda rough, the rye grass used in Florida over the winter to keep a green look to the course has made it play longer and at times softer.

Some thought it might be a little easier.

"Just look at the board," DiMarco said after his second straight 69.

Vaughn Taylor (68), rookie Doug LaBelle (71), Pat Perez (70), Daniel Chopra (71) and Jonathan Byrd (69) were in the group at 138. Another shot behind was a group that included Billy Andrade, Arron Oberholser and first-round Cliff Kresge, who was nine shots worse with a 74.

Vijay Singh, a past champion at the Copperhead course, was poised to join the leaders until dropping two shots down the stretch, winding up at 2-under 140 but still in the picture.
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