MADISON, United States (AFP) — David Branshaw capped his second straight bogey-free round with a birdie-birdie finish here Friday to take a one-shot lead in the 3.5 million-dollar Viking Classic.
After carding six birdies - including three on the final three holes - on Thursday, Branshaw fired four birdies Friday en route to a four-under 68 and a 10-under 36-hole total of 134.
With six players still on the course when darkness halted play, Branshaw led Bill Haas and Cameron Beckman, who both used late surges to pull close at Annandale Golf Club.
Haas recorded four birdies on the back nine - including two on the final two holes - to finish the day at five-under 67.
Beckman overcame a double-bogey on four and two bogeys to finish strong. He birdied five through seven, and also birdied three of his final five holes to post a 70 and join Haas on nine-under 135.
J.P. Hayes posted a 68 for 136, one stroke ahead of a group of six golfers.
Defending champion D.J. Trahan, who carded a bogey-free 6-under 66 on Thursday, recorded a bogey on three of his first five holes on the back nine and was four-under for the tournament.
First-round leader Briny Baird had significant troubles on Friday.
After carding 10 birdies on Thursday to earn a two-stroke lead, Baird had seven bogeys to fall to three-under, tied for 28th place.
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