Snead Leads Tradition

J.C. Snead hit a 403-yard drive on the par-4, 450-yard 14th hole of the Cochise Course at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., beginning a string of three birdies in the last five holes, and went on to lead The Tradition at the midpoint by one shot over Raymond Floyd.

“I hit it absolutely perfect for the conditions - down the left side, hit the hill just right, got a lot of roll,” Snead said about his wind-assisted drive.

Considering the erratic gusts of 25-40 mph that whipped the 6,891-yard mountainside layout, his second straight 69 and total of 6-under-par 138 was remarkable. By comparison, first-round co-leaders Ed Sneed and Hale Irwin shot 75 and 76, respectively.

Jack Nicklaus, who designed the course, carded a 74. Nine of 78 players broke par, and Ken Still had an 86.

Three-time Masters champion Gary Player collapsed in pain after the second round of The Tradition, but X-rays proved negative.

Arnold Palmer, who was in a threesome with Player, said his friend experienced back spasms.

Neal Lancaster survived with a 2-under 70 to share the 36-hole lead with Gene Sauers, but John Daly missed the cut after using a dozen shots on the par-5 No. 8, his 17th hole of the day at the BellSouth Classic in Marietta, Ga. Sauers recorded a 68 to share the lead at 7-under 137 for two trips around the 7,018-yard Atlanta Country Club course.

Daly was three shots off the lead when he reached the eighth tee. The 1994 BellSouth champion declined to talk about his 12, but playing partner Brett Ogle said at one point Daly hit a tree and “took three quick whacks at it left-handed” before taking a drop.

Daly finished with a 77-148, missing the cut by one.

In Lincoln, Calif., reigning U.S. Open champion Annika Sorenstam took a one-stroke lead in the second round of the $500,000 Twelve Bridges LPGA Classic at Twelve Bridges Golf Club.

Sorenstam led Caroline Pierce and first-round leader Emilee Klein after finishing with a 5-under 66. Her two-day total stands at 135.

Rathdrum, Idaho, golfer Tracy Hanson rocketed up the leader board with a 65 and is at 2 under. Clarkston’s Robin Walton shot 71 and sits at minus-1.