Mallinger leads Pebble Beach

Invitational

PEBBLE BEACH, California (AP) — John Mallinger, no longer fully exempt on the US PGA Tour after finishing 133rd on the money list this year, birdied five of his last six holes at Pebble Beach for 7-under 65 and a one-stroke lead in the Pebble Beach Invitational.
Mallinger had nine birdies and two bogeys in the second round to reach 9-under 135 in the 76-player event that features male and female professionals.
"I pretty much made everything out there," said Mallinger, third twice in the PGA Tour's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. "I just always feel comfortable here. It's like home."
PGA Tour winner Matt Bettencourt, the first-round leader after a 64 at Del Monte, had a 72 at Spyglass Hill to drop into a tie for second with two-time Champions Tour winner Russ Cochran and four-time LPGA Tour champion Candie Kung. Cochran had a 65, and Kung shot a 68, both at Del Monte.
"I played pretty well, but I didn't hit it below the hole," said Bettencourt, the Reno-Tahoe Open winner in July for his first PGA Tour title. "That's the key at Spyglass. "The greens were firm and fair and that's what makes it a great course."
D.A. Points was fifth at 7 under after a 66 at Pebble Beach.
Annika Sorenstam, competing for one of the rare times since her retirement in 2008, shot a 72 at Spyglass Hill, leaving her six strokes back at 3 under.
Twenty-five players shot sub-par rounds, nine fewer than in the opening round. Del Monte produced 17 of the under-par scores in the second round.
Kevin Streelman, who had a first-round 69 at Del Monte, was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard at Pebble Beach.
Defending champion Mark Brooks, the seven-time PGA Tour winner and only three-time Pebble Beach Invitational champion, will likely miss the cut after shooting a 78 to finish at 11 over.
The top 40 and ties following the third round will advance to the final round Sunday at Pebble Beach. The winner will receive $60,000 from the $300,000 purse.
The tournament is sponsored by Callaway Golf.