Golf

Choi leads Chrysler after wild 2nd round

It included a manhunt across the course a s the cut claim s two former champions.

By BOB HARIG
Published October 28, 2006

PALM HARBOR - The wind kicked up, and so did the scores. But golfers easily rattled or looking for excuses could point to more than just the gusty conditions on Friday during the second round of the Chrysler Championship.

A hovering helicopter, police dogs and law enforcement officials also added intrigue.

You don't see manhunts very often at PGA Tour venues, but one unfolded during the middle of the golf tournament, with a helicopter looking for two robbery suspects. At one point, they interrupted play on Copperhead's third hole, where the tournament leader at the time was about to tee off.

Brian Gay hit his tee shot in the water.

"I was going along pretty well prior to that, so I am going to blame it on that," Gay said.

Strange day, one that ended with both suspects in custody - and no stranger to the tournament in the lead.

South Korea's K.J. Choi, who won in 2002 when it was called the Tampa Bay Classic, shot 5-under 66 to take the 36-hole lead at 134, 8 under. He led by one over three-time major-winner Ernie Els, Jonathan Byrd and Gay, who followed his 64 Thursday with par 71.

Paul Goydos and Shaun Micheel were the only players who competed in the afternoon to make a move up the leaderboard. Goydos shot 68 for a total 136. Micheel shot 66 to finish at 137, in a four-way tie for sixth with Ted Purdy, Mark Calcavecchia and Tampa's David Branshaw.

"I'm surprised there are a couple of really good scores," Calcavecchia said. "It's way harder than Thursday."

"When I got to the range early, it was windy," said Choi, the South Korean who won by seven in 2002. "I was surprised. Early morning is always quiet. (But) this week my swing is very strong, and my control is very good. I putted very well. It was a good experience. And good timing."

Good timing in that he played when there was less wind, and less commotion.

He could not, however, avoid a double-bogey 5 at the par-3 eighth hole, which dropped him to 8 under and allowed a slew of players to stay close heading into the weekend.

One of those was Byrd, 28, one of just two Americans (along with Ben Curtis) under the age of 30 with at least two wins on the tour.

Another was Els, 37, the South African who has not won in 2006 on any tour. Ranked seventh in the world, Els has put himself in position for his first PGA Tour title in two years.

"Ever since the (Aug. 27 Bridgestone Invitational), I've been working on a couple of things in my swing," said Els, who missed the latter part of 2005 with a knee injury sustained in a water sports accident. "And when we were in Europe, I played two pretty good tournaments. It's starting to feel a bit more normal and a bit more comfortable and natural.

"My iron shots were really good. You've got to hit it good in the wind. If you don't hit it solid in the wind, you're not going to get the ball flushing in. So I'm hitting it solidly and putting quite nicely. I'm looking forward to this weekend. ... If I play like this, I should have a chance on Sunday."

The 36-hole cut came at 144, 2 over, and claimed former Chrysler champs Retief Goosen and John Huston, as well as Charles Howell, Adam Scott, Nick Price and defending champion Carl Pettersson.

Of the 70 who remain, 20 are within six shots of the lead.

Bob Harig can be reached at harig@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8806.

[Last modified October 28, 2006, 01:57:28]