DEFENDING champion Scot McCarron was guessing right yesterday and that translated into a fine round in windy conditions as he shared the lead after 36 holes of the Freeport-McDermott Classic.

McCarron and Larry Rinker both shot second-round scores of three-under 69 at English Turn to finish at 10 under par, three strokes ahead of Brad Faxon (69) and rookie Michael Christie (67).

Lanny Wadkins was next on the leaderboard at six under par after his second successive 69, tied with the other first-round leader. David Toms, who blew to a 73.

However, the star of the day was Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, whose second-round 67 was continuing evidence of his rousing comeback after foot problems kept him away from the game for 18 months.

Rinker has never won on the PGA Tour, but after falling off the tour and regaining his card this year, he has had a renewal of confidence.

"It was a really difficult day. My aim was to get to 10 under par, but it was so tough out there that par would have been a great score. It was a good day for a scrambler who has a few shots in his bag," said Rinker.