Golf: Verplank on top while Ridings is on the spot

Scott Verplank and Tag Ridings are separated by one shot atop the leaderboard at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic and by more than $2.76 million in season earnings. One is playing out the season and enjoying time with his family, the other is fighting for a job.

That could be one difference that separates a bunched leaderboard of haves and have-nots going into the weekend at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Verplank shot a second straight 6-under-par 66 and has a one-shot lead at 132 over Ridings, Stephen Ames and Ryan Armour.

Verplank is 15th on the money list, played in the Presidents Cup, has qualified for the four majors next year and has few worries across the street from the Magic Kingdom.

Not so for Ridings, who has split time playing the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour this year and came into the final event of the season at No. 210 on the money list. The only way to keep his card is to win.

LPGA

Laura Davies showed no hangover from losing on the final hole last weekend, making seven birdies for a 7-under 65 that gave her a one-stroke lead after a windy first day at the Mizuno Classic in Shima, Japan.

Japan’s Chie Arimura and American Reilley Rankin are one back of Davies.