Date: April 19, 2008
Author:

Glover lifts his game

Lucas Glover holds a one-stroke lead over Boo Weekley at the Verizon Heritage Open as Aaron Baddeley and Robert Allenby lead the charge for the Australian contingent. For 28-year-old Glover, though, his second five-under 66 in succession could mark the end of a poor spell of form. The US President&aposs Cup team member has had a 2008 to forget so far, missing last week&aposs Masters after barely featuring in the top 30 at most tournaments he&aposs played in this year. But, on this Harbour Town Golf Links course, Glover seems perfectly at home once more, especially on the back nine where he fired in two late birdies on Thursday to grab a share of the first round lead, before firing off four birdies coming home on Friday to be the outright leader going into the weekend. He is one stroke ahead of 2007 champion Weekley, though, who also appears to favor the back nine, having posted three birdies there in his second-round seven-under 64 after producing a solid 69 on the first day. Weekley is one stroke ahead of the consistent Anthony Kim, who signed for his second consecutive four-under 67 on Friday, while Cliff Kresje (66), Stephen Ames (64) and Stewart Cink (68) are all a further stroke behind at seven-under. For the Australasians, Baddeley produced a solid four-under 67 in his second round. The Victorian was one-under turning for home but posted three birdies on the back nine to be still in contention at six-under overall. Allenby, however, stole the show from his compatriot, acing the par-three fourth hole at the Harbour Town venue, to finish the day with a five-under 66 to also be at six-under on the overall leaderboard. One stroke further back is New Zealand&aposs Tim Wilkinson, who reeled off five birdies on his back nine – including the last four holes – to finish with a two-under 69. Wilkinson&aposs effort was particularly impressive, though, considering the Kiwi was at three-over after the 11th hole, having bogeyed 10 and 11. Wilkinson is alongside Australian Matthew Goggin at five-under after the Australian reeled off five birdies in his four-under 67 on Friday. Peter Lonard (72), meanwhile, is at two-under overall, one stroke ahead of John Senden (67), while Nick Flanagan (70), Matt Jones (69) and Nathan Green (69) all finished the day at one-over as they scraped in to make the cut. They were more fortunate, however, than Jason Day (70), Mark Hensby (72), Nick O&aposHern (73), Rod Pampling (72) and Stephen Leaney (75), who will all not be featuring on the weekend.