Oberholser grabs lead, Aussie Allan second at US PGA event

GOLF: SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Oct 25 - American Arron Oberholser fired a six-under par 64 here Friday to seize a one-stroke lead over Australian Steve Allan after the second round of the five million-dollar US PGA Fry's.com Open.

Oberholser stood on 11-under par 129 after 36 holes with Allan, who fired a 63 Friday, next on 130 and Americans Brad Elder and George McNeill sharing third on 131, each firing a 63 in the second round.

Oberholser, 33, hit all 14 fairways in the round.

"I got into a good rhythm off the start and started striking the ball well from tee one, and really just hit a couple wayward irons," Oberholser said.

Aussie Mathew Goggin, who also shot 63, was on 132 with Americans Paul Goydos, John Mallinger and Robert Garrigus. Goydos had the day's low round at 62.

Oberholser had back-to-back birdies at the second and third holes and again at the fifth and sixth before taking his first bogey of the week at the par-3 eighth hole.

Oberholser began the back nine with a pair of birdies, took a bogey at 13 but answered with birdies on 14 and 17.

"When I play my best, I play the golf course, I don't play the tournament," Oberholser said. "I don't care that I'm in a tournament. It's just me and the golf course. That's it. I don't care who's doing what, who's in the lead, who's making birdies, who's not. I'm just playing the golf course."

Allan began on the back nine and birdied the 11th, 12th and 15th holes. His lone bogey of the day came at the first hole but the Aussie fought back with four birdies in a rowe starting at the third hole and another at the eighth.

"It was a good morning," Allan said. "I was probably a little bit scrappy early and got a couple lucky breaks, putted really well and played really good on the second nine."

Elder and McNeill stayed in the hunt with steady play.

"I just kind of kept it in play and I hit some nice iron shots, but mostly putting," Elder said. "I putted good, chipped good, made the par putts when I needed to and just kind of kept the round going."

Goggin opened and closed with bogeys but birdied nine times in between.

"I'm just going to keep my timing and get a good feel," said Goggin. "I made a nice putt for bogey on the first. I was a bit sleepy out of the gate, but that gave me a bit of confidence with the putter, so that was good." AFP