TOM WATSON and Jeff Sluman both hit successive four under rounds of 67 for an aggregate of 134 to share the lead after the second round of the MCI Classic in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina yesterday.
Colin Montgomerie recovered from his US Masters disappointment to shoot a five under par 66 and he a shot off the lead. Jeff Maggert shot a 66 and joined Montgomerie on 135 alongside Larry Nelson (68) and Loren Roberts (69).
Nick Faldo and US Masters rival Greg Norman were again closely tied, both finishing on four under, but will not be paired together today.
Watson hit three birdies, an eagle and a bogey to boost his chances of ending a nine year winning drought. "I'm very relaxed on the greens, no problems there, I'm putting well," he said. "But I don't feel I'm striking the ball as well right now as I have been for most of the past three years.
"I've been fighting my golf swing on every stroke, and sometimes that helps you score better, because you're so focused on every shot."
Sluman is also aiming to end a long run without a victory - his last PCA tour triumph was in the 1988 PGA Championship - and made two good saves for par on the closing holes in his bogey free 67.
"I got lucky today," he admitted. "I kept the ball in play really well. I'm playing really well right now. I only had to hit 20 or 30 practice balls yesterday. It's nice to start playing more consistent golf."
