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Tim Herron scores 69 to lead Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Actor Kevin Costner, center, hugs fans after finishing his round of the US$6 million AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament at the Spyglass Hill Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, on Friday. PHOTO: AP

US veteran Tim Herron fired a three-under par 69 in Pebble Beach on Friday to seize a one-stroke lead over four rivals after the second round of the US$6 million PGA Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Herron stood on seven-under 137 after 36 holes, one stroke ahead of compatriots Robert Floyd, Michael Allen, J.B. Holmes and Nicholas Thompson in quest of a top prize of US$1.08 million at an event using three courses.

At Poppy Hills, Herron began on the back nine and opened and closed his first nine holes with birdies but took a bogey at the 17th. Herron also birdied two of the final four holes, including the ninth, to seize the lead alone.

"I hit it fine. I got actually a couple good breaks off some drives," Herron said. "Other than that I drove it good. I probably had two or three bad drives."

"The last few years I've struggled putting and I I've hit a lot of greens this week and made one bogey and the bogey I made was a three-putt," he said.

Holmes, who defeated world No. 2 Phil Mickelson last week in a playoff, fired a 70, as did Allen and Floyd while Thompson shot his second 69 in a row.

Herron seeks his fifth career title and first since the 2006 Colonial, but 20 rivals are within three strokes.

"Going into the weekend it's packed. Anyone that makes the cut has a chance to win the tournament. Hopefully it's not 78 guys," Herron said. "Hopefully all the guys make the cut, but that might be a little big."

One player Herron will not have to worry about is world No. 1 Tiger Woods, who won at Torrey Pines last month and does not plan to return until the World Golf Championships World Match-Play event later this month.

"I'm just lucky that Tiger is not here. He'd probably be 16-under," Herron said. "At least we have a chance this week."

Defending champion Mickelson, a three-time winner in pebble Beach, fired a 72 at Spyglass Hill on Friday to share 53rd at one-under 143.

Australian legend Greg Norman, making his first US PGA start since the 2006 International, fired a 70 to stand on 146.
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