Jones Leads Triplett In Tuscon

Steve Jones revived memories of his dominance at the Phoenix Open with a 4-under-par 68 that gave him a three-shot lead at the midpoint of the Tucson (Ariz.) Chrysler Classic golf tournament.

The defending U.S. Open champion’s four-birdie, no-bogey performance in the second round dropped him to 10-under 134.

Paul Stankowski shot the best score yet (65), and pulled into contention at 137 along with former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett and Brad Bryant. Jeff Maggert, the first-round co-leader with Jones, shot 72 and dropped four shots back.

Annika Sorenstam took advantage of near-perfect conditions to shoot a 6-under-par 66 and take a four-stroke lead after two rounds of the 54-hole Hawaiian Ladies Open in Honolulu.

At the 36-hole mark, Sorenstam was at 11-under 133. Defending champion Meg Mallon was second after shooting a 68. Cathy Johnston-Forbes capped a bogey-free round with a hole-in-one that helped her finish with the day’s best score, 66. Robin Walton of Clarkston barely made the cut by shooting a 72 for a two-day total of 145.

Tiger Woods, who first played in the Nissan Open in Los Angeles as a 16-year-old high school student in 1992, announced he will compete in the tournament next week.

Woods delayed his entry until he was certain his father, Earl, was on the road to recovery from heart bypass surgery. Earl Woods, 64, had the operation Wednesday, and a UCLA Medical Center spokeswoman said Friday he was doing well.

Jim Colbert, the Senior PGA Tour’s player of the year the last two seasons, shot a 4-under-par 68 to join Simon Hobday, Butch Baird and Buddy Allin atop the leaderboard after one round of the American Express Invitational in Sarasota, Fla.