McNeill retains one-shot lead at McGladrey

Chris Kirk moved into the lead at the McGladrey Classic late on Friday, while early leader George McNeill suffered a poor second round in Georgia.

Kirk, who hit a first-round 66, was top of the leaderboard midway through the second round on eight under par, one shot ahead of Kevin Chappell, who carded 68 yesterday to add to his opening 65 at the Sea Island course.

Thursday’s first round was interrupted by heavy fog causing play to be suspended due to bad light. And McNeill, who retained his one-shot lead as he completed his delayed first round earlier yesterday, slipped up as he could only manage 76 to leave him two under par.

The 38-year-old started off well, but ended up with seven bogeys – five of them on consecutive holes on the back nine before he claimed a birdie on the 15th — which moved him down the leaderboard and he was joined by fellow American’s Martin Flores and Harris English on two under.

Jason Kokrak was in a strong position after his second round included an eagle and four birdies for a 65 score. Kokrak finished six under par at the halfway stage. Meanwhile Matt Kuchar and Will Claxton were just two shots back after they completed their second yesterday.

US Masters champion Adam Scott stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast, firing a four-under-par 67 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the tournament.

Scott, on a four-week valedictory tour of his home country after becoming the first Australian to put on the famous green jacket at Augusta in April, got off to a blistering start with a birdie and an eagle in his first three holes. Adding just one further birdie on his back nine, the world number two’s flawless round at Royal Pines moved him to 10-under for the tournament, a couple of shots in front of compatriot David McKenzie (69).

Overnight leader Rickie Fowler, whose sparkling eight-under 63 lit up the first round, started in similar vein yesterdaywhen he holed his approach shot at the first for an eagle two. Four bogeys and just one more birdie, however, gave the American a one-over par 72 and he slipped to a share of third on seven-under with Australian Nathan Green (69) and New Zealander Gareth Paddison, who carded an error-free 67.