Lee Janzen fired a second-round 68 yesterday for a 36-hole total of 135 and a one-shot lead midway through the $3.4 million Shell Houston Open.
Janzen, a two-time U.S. Open champion, but winless since the 1998 Open, came home with birdies on holes 15-16-17 for the lead at the TPC-Woodlands course under cloudy, windy conditions.
"I thought I played very well today at least as good as yesterday, maybe better.
"Even when I was playing well in the past, I don't think I was in this kind of shape," Janzen said.
First round co-leader Joe Durant was in second place following a three-under-par 69 for a 136 total.
Tom Pernice Jr was alone in third on 137 after a 67.
Former champion Hal Sutton (68) and Kevin Sutherland (69) were tied for fourth on 138.
Among those making the biggest moves on the second day was former British Open and PGA Championship winner John Daly who shot a three-under 68 and is at four under 140 and just five shots off of the lead.
"I played pretty solid all day long today.
"I can tell my game is getting better at least better than it used to be," Daly said.
Australians Adam Scott, who began the day one shot out of the lead, and defending champion Robert Allenby both struggled with inconsistent play and fell far off the pace headed into the weekend.
Scott shot a one over 71 and finished at 141 while Allenby finished on 143 after a 73.
"I hit some great shots, but the wrong club," Allenby said. "The wind was really swirling out there and I lost five shots in three holes (bogey, bogey, double bogey on holes 16-17-18).
The 36-hole cut was at one-over 145 with players such as 1999 champion Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington and Craig Stadler going home early.
After beginning the year with three straight missed cuts, Janzen has finished in the top 30 each of his last six tournaments.