RUSSELL KNOX TRAILING IN RAIN-HIT NATIONWIDE TOUR EVENT

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
VALDOSTA, Georgia -- Not a single cloud was in the sky on Friday at the South Georgia Classic presented by First State Bank & Trust Co. and plenty of golf was played at the 7,781-yard, par-72 Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, the Nationwide Tour's longest course. A total of 50 players were able to finish 36 holes before darkness halted play at 8:13 p.m. ET.
Michael Letzig, Mathew Goggin and Jon Mills are currently tied for the lead at 6-under. Letzig collected seven birdies through 17 holes -- offset by a double bogey and one bogey -- of the second round while Goggin has yet to start his second lap around the track. Mills wasted little time after his 7:30 p.m. second round tee time, making birdie on each of his first three holes. The trio is one stroke ahead of 10 others.
A better perspective of the leaderboard won't come into view until the early afternoon on Saturday when the entire field has completed 36 holes. Thursday's delays from the storms caused the afternoon groups of the first round to start Friday morning at 8:50 a.m. then promptly begin their second round at 2:20 p.m.
Roughly half the field was able to start the second round. The other half will resume Saturday morning at 7:50 a.m.
"I'm putting well," said Letzig, who drained multiple putts outside of 15 feet in the second round. "When you're making those putts in builds your momentum. You start to do everything good. It definitely feels good to be rolling the ball well."
When Letzig returns in the morning to complete his round he'll only have one hole to finish but his group was seconds away from avoiding the early wake-up call.
"We were trying to hurry," he said. "Frank (Lickliter) holed his sand shot for birdie on our 17th hole then started running to the next tee. Unfortunately the horns blew before he could hit his tee shot."
Goggin, who won the Panama Claro Championship earlier this year, did not let Thursday's delays affect his performance in the first round.
"You can't get involved on whether we play or how late we're going to play or if you're going to finish," said the three-time Nationwide Tour winner. "I've been around long enough now to just chill out and do what you're told really."
The nine-year PGA TOUR veteran struggled last year on TOUR -- making just 13 of 28 cuts -- but his game is coming around.
"I got my equipment all sorted out," said Goggin. "I couldn't get the shafts right and I sort of changed the line on my irons. That made a big difference. I went to a new Taylor Made driver and I'm hitting it a lot straighter and a little longer. I got off to a great start and that gave me a lot of confidence. You really never know how it's going to go, but a win kick started the year I guess."
Eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star John Smoltz received a sponsor's exemption, making his first start in a PGA TOUR co-sanctioned event. The 43-year-old who carries a +2 handicap posted a 12-over 84 in the first round. Smoltz's second-round tee time is tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
• A total of 100 players did not complete round two. They will return on Saturday and resume play at 7:50 a.m. Following completion of the round, the field will be cut to the low 60 players and ties. Third round tee times will run from approximately 2:45-4:45 p.m. with play in threesomes off both the 1st and 10th tees.
Russell Knox shot a first-round, one-over-par 73. The man from Inverness needs to pull up his socks if he is to beat the cut in his second outing on America's No 2 tour.

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LUKE DONALD NOW SHARING 12th PLACE BEHIND BUBBA WATSON

FROM THE GOLF.COM WEBSITE
AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Bubba Watson's mother knew best.
Only playing the Zurich Classic of New Orleans because his mother, Molly, talked him into it because she wanted to watch him play, Watson shot a 4-under 68 in shifting wind conditions Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Josh Teater after the second round at TPC Louisiana.
"Mom knew I was going to play pretty good the first two rounds," said Watson, playing a four-hour drive from his hometown of Bagdad, Fla. "We've got two more to go, but she's right so far."
Watson, the Torrey Pines winner in late January, had a 10-under 134 total on the Pete Dye-designed course - a layout that he doesn't think fits his game.
"For me, it's daunting," Watson said. "There were a lot of tough tee shots for me. A lot of times the water's on the left for me being left-handed. "It's hard to overcome, but somehow I'm overcoming it right now."
The long-hitting Watson eagled the par-5 11th - his second hole of the round - for the second time, holing a 20-footer to get to 8 under. He added a 4-foot birdie putt on 13 and a 13-footer on 14, but bogeyed the 18th when he hit his third shot over the green from a bunker. He also birdied the seventh with a 3-footer.
"You're not sure what the wind's doing on some holes," said Watson, who has failed to win the three previous times he has had the 36-hole lead. "So, you're always watching and trying to see what's going on to figure out how to play the holes."
Teater shot a 66, dropping two strokes with a double bogey on the par-5 18th. His approach shot with a 6-iron from 177 yards sailed right and bounced into the water guarding the green. His fifth shot ran 22 feet past the hole and he two-putted for the double bogey.
"It was kind of on an upslope," Teater said about his third shot. "And I don't know if my club just got stuck, but I was trying to hit it left of the flag and middle of the green, and it shot out right on me."
John Rollins was 8 under after a 69.
"I played good for two days," Rollins said. "I've hit the ball well and given myself a lot of opportunities. So, I've got to be very pleased with where I am and we'll see how the week works out."
Dean Wilson matched the course record with a 64 to join John Senden (67), Jason Dufner (69), Matt Jones (71) and Webb Simpson (69) at 7 under. Simpson counted Hornets star guard Chris Paul among his gallery.
Wilson missed a chance to break the course record on the par-3 ninth, his closing hole, when his tee shot landed short and right of the green.
"These courses of Pete Dye are so demanding," Wilson said. "So, when you have 20 mph wind, it's really difficult. He doesn't give you any bailouts."
Steve Stricker (68), David Mathis (68) and Tommy Gainey (71) were 6 under.
Luke Donald topped a group at 5 under after a 71. He lost a playoff last week at Hilton Head, missing a chance to jump from No. 3 to No. 1 in the world.
Vijay Singh made the cut by a stroke, following a 74 with a 68 to get to 2 under.
David Duval, Rory Sabbatini, Hilton Head winner Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose and John Daly missed the cut. Duval opened with a 67, but doubled-bogeyed the second hole on way to a front-nine 42 and 79.
It was not a good day for the Brits.
Luke Donald slipped down to joint 12th place on 139 with a second-round 71. He is now five shots behind leader on his own, American Bubby Watson, who had a 68 for 134 to lead by one from compatriot Josh Teater who had the day's best round of 66 for 135.
England's Brian Davis did not do too badly with a 70 but he is back in joint 27th place on 141, seven shots off the pace at halfway.
Missing the cut by three shots was Aberdeen-born Aussie Michael Sim with 74-72 for 146; Ulsterman Graeme McDowell with 73-75 for 148 and England's Justin Rose with 77-74 for 151.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72)
Players from US unless stated
134 Bubba Watson 66 68.
135 Josh Teater 69 66.
136 John Rollins 67 68.
Selected scores:
139 Luke Donald (England) 68 71 (T12).
141 Brian Davis (England) 71 70 (T27)
MISSED CUT (143 or better qualified)
146 Michael Sim (Scotland/Australia) 74 72, David Duval 67 79.
148 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 73 75.
151 Justin Rose (England) 77 74, John Daly 81 70.

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CANADIAN VETERAN GIBSON IN MALAYSIA LIMELIGHT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Batu Gajah, Perak , Malaysia: Veteran Canadian golfer Rick Gibson turned back time to share the second round clubhouse lead with Pornpong Phatlum of Thailand at the Clearwater Masters 2011 today.
Gibson, 49, who won the 1991 Malaysian Open, posted a four-under-par 68 while Pornpong birdied the last hole to return with a 67 for a two-day total of six-under-par 138 in the US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.
Shaaban Hussin of Malaysia shot his best career score of 65 to share third place with teen sensation Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines and Hong Kong’s Timothy Tang on a 139 total at the Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort in Batu Gajah, Perak, which is a 90-minute drive from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
Thailand ’s Somkiat Srisa-nga fired the tournament’s first hole-in-one on the par three seventh hole when his seven iron shot landed 10 feet from the hole before rolling in. He posted a 69 for a 141 total.
The ace earned him a lifetime membership at the Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort worth RM32,000 plus RM2,000 in cash.
A thunderstorm at 9.30am which lasted for three hours and 50 minutes meant the second round was suspended at 7.15pm due to darkness. A total of 68 players including overnight leader Berry Henson of the United States will return Saturday morning at 7.40am to complete their rounds.
After nearly four years since playing competitively, Gibson returned with a polished performance highlighted by six birdies against two bogeys.
“I felt better with the putter. It has been being nearly four years since I played competitively and my putting hasn’t been like how it was,” said Gibson, who has won numerous titles across Asia and has represented his country in six World Cups.
Gibson was delighted to upstage his protégé Tabuena for the first time since the young Filipino turned professional. He believes playing against the talented and young Asian Development Tour players will prepare him for the Senior Tour. “I’m getting ready for the senior tour because I turn 50 in October. I also want to spend some time with Miguel Tabuena. I noticed that I got him by a shot after two rounds! Miguel at the age of 16 is a really good player and I feel pretty proud to be ahead of him after two rounds,” added the Canadian, who has lived in the Philippines for the past 20 years.
Playing on an invite, Pornpong, 24, turned in 32 before shooting eight straight pars. He shot a birdie on the last after missing an eagle opportunity from 20 feet to share the second round honours.
“My putting was really good and it pulled my game. I couldn’t get my game going in the back nine and was lucky not to shoot a bogey. Overall, it was a solid round for me,” said Pornpong, who is searching for his maiden professional victory this week.
Local hope Shaaban, who played with Lee Westwood in the third round of the Indonesian Masters, recovered from his opening 74 with eight birdies highlighted by a chip in from 10 feet on hole two.
“I tried to play like Westwood yesterday which obviously didn’t work out. I played my own game today and did very well,” said Shaaban.
He was disappointed not to go lower after missing birdie putts from inside five feet.
“I could have gone lower like eight or 10-under but missed a lot of short putts. But it is okay because shooting a 65 on the second day is a really good score. I think this is my best score so far in my career,” added Shaaban.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)138 Pornpong PHATLUM (THA) 71-67, Rick GIBSON (CAN) 70-68
139 Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 69-70, Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 74-65, Timothy TANG (HKG) 71-68
141 Mohd Amli (MAS) 70-71, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 71-70, Somkiat SRISA-NGA (THA) 72-69
142 Haziq HAMIZAN (MAS) 69-73, CHANG Tse-peng (TPE) 70-72, Yuki USAMI (JPN) 70-72, Nick REDFERN (ENG) 71-71
144 Justin EVANS (ENG) 71-73, Aadil JEHANGIR (PAK) 72-72, Zaw MOE (MYA) 74-70, Llewellyn MATTHEWS (WLS) 73-71
145 Kenichi SAWADA (JPN) 72-73, Artemio MURAKAMI (PHI) 71-74, Dinata ABDILLAH (MAS) 73-72, Pongthep JAEWCHUMNANCHAO (THA) 71-74

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Tom Ward's image of Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) in action in the Fairhaven Trophies tournament today in Lancashire.

RAMSAY, WHITEFORD ONLY SCOTS TO BEAT CUT IN SOUTH KOREA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Seoul, South Korea: Australia’s Brett Rumford stayed on course of improving on his previous year’s result by carding a flawless nine-under-par 63 to take the second round lead at the €2.2 million (approximately US$3.2 million) Ballantine’s Championship today.
The Australian, who started his morning round in tied-19th, stormed up the leaderboard with a two-day-total of 10-under-par 134 to take a three-shot lead over Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez who returned with matching 137s for a share of second place at the Blackstone Golf Club.
Overnight leader Damien McGrane of Ireland is tied alongside England’s James Morrison and Wales’ Rhys Davies on matching 138s in equal fourth while American Dustin Johnson is one back on 139 with Korea’s Park Sang-hyun, England’s Richard Finch and Sweden’s Alexandaer Noren in tied-seventh place.
Rumford, who came up short last year when he finished in tied-second, is determined to enter the winner’s circle this year despite having an indifferent form coming into the week.
“I'm in a position now to be thinking about winning, that's for sure. Maybe at the start of the week, not so, as I haven't come into this week with that great of a form. But this is a funny game and it can change from week to week,” said Rumford.
The Australian got off well with four birdies on holes 12, 14, 17 and 18 to reach the turn in 32.
He continued his impressive run by adding five more birdies on the second, third, fifth, sixth and eighth holes.
“I think the difference between today and yesterday is just the wind out there. It was a lot calmer and obviously a lot easier to control the ball coming into these very firm greens,” said Rumford.
Rumford now believes that he will have to stay focus for the next 36 holes to win his fourth professional title.
“I guess it’s just the hard work over the last couple of weeks to grind and get myself into the scoring mentality rather than anything else which has helped me this week. I just need to stay in the same frame of mind and see where it takes me over the weekend,” added Rumford.
Jimenez, with his trademark pony tail and chomping cigar, credited his free-spiritedness for keeping him in touch with securing his 19th career victory.
“The more important thing in life is you have to enjoy yourself. You need to enjoy whatever you do and playing golf is my joy. I always like to have fun and I always try to enjoy myself, and of course, it's going to be much better,” said the colourful Spaniard, whose card included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Meanwhile Johnson, who has been billed as the star attraction at the Ballantine’s Championship this week, believes that he will have to improve on his putting if he wants to stand a chance of winning his first title in Asia.
The American, who teed off in the back-nine, started off well with three birdies in his opening four holes.
He dropped a shot on the par-five 15th but recovered with another birdie on the 18th hole to turn in 33. Johnson however, could not roll in the putts and parred the rest of his holes coming home.
“I played really well but I just haven't really made as many putts as I would have liked to. I'm rolling it good and they look like they are going in but they’re just barely missing it,” said Johnson.
“If I can get some putts going in then I would be right up there in the lead or leading. I just need to get them going early in the round and hopefully shoot a good number tomorrow,” added the American.
World number one Lee Westwood of England, who needs a top-five finish at the Ballantine’s Championship to retain his number one spot, remains confident of keeping his status even after signing for a 68 to take tied-11th place on 140.
“Four‑under today gave me a chance, doesn't it. I’m six behind the leader and three behind the second-placed players. I have a funny feeling a lot can happen on this golf course,” said Westwood.
England’s Ian Poulter and South Africa’s Ernie Els are the notable absentees for the weekend rounds after the cut was set at one-over par.
SCOTSWATCH: Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay is in joint 11th place after a par-72 for four-under 140. The only other Scot to make the cut was Kirkcaldy's Peter Whiteford with a 69 for 144. He is in joint 47th position at the halfway stage.
David Drysdale took one shot too many with a 71 for 146. Alastair Forsyth was also on that mark after a very good second round of 67. Pity about the opening-day 79!

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
1 Brett RUMFORD (AUS) 71 63 134
2 Miguel Angel JIMENEZ (ESP) 70 67 137
2 Soren KJELDSEN (DEN) 71 66 137
4 Damien MCGRANE (IRL) 66 72 138
4 James MORRISON (ENG) 69 69 138
4 Rhys DAVIES (WAL) 70 68 138
7 PARK Sang-hyun (KOR) 67 72 139
7 Richard FINCH (ENG) 67 72 139
7 Alexander NOREN (SWE) 70 69 139
7 David JOHNSON (USA) 70 69 139
11 Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 68 72 140
11 KIM Kyung-tae (KOR) 69 71 140
11 Rikard KARLBERG (SWE) 71 69 140
11 KIM Dae-hyun (KOR) 71 69 140
11 Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 72 68 140
11 Shiv KAPUR (IND) 72 68 140
11 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 74 66 140
18 Felipe AGUILAR (CHL) 67 74 141
18 HONG Soon-sang (KOR) 69 72 141
18 YANG Ji-ho (KOR) 71 70 141
18 MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 71 70 141
18 Mark TULLO (CHI) 71 70 141
18 Paul MCGINLEY (IRL) 71 70 141
18 JUNG Ji-ho (KOR) 71 70 141
18 Jamie DONALDSON (WAL) 72 69 141
18 CHOI Jin-ho (KOR) 73 68 141
18 Joel SJOHOLM (SWE) 74 67 141
18 Christian NILSSON (SWE) 74 67 141
29 Scott STRANGE (AUS) 71 71 142
29 Shane LOWRY (IRL) 72 70 142
29 Gareth MAYBIN (NIR) 72 70 142
29 Marcus FRASER (AUS) 72 70 142
29 John PARRY (ENG) 72 70 142
29 Gregory HAVRET (FRA) 73 69 142
29 Robert-Jan DERKSEN (NED) 73 69 142
29 Ben LEONG (MAS) 73 69 142
29 Matthew ZIONS (AUS) 76 66 142
38 Unho PARK (AUS) 70 73 143
38 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 71 72 143
38 Scott HEND (AUS) 71 72 143
38 SIDDIKUR (BAN) 72 71 143
38 Martin WIEGELE (AUT) 72 71 143
38 Rick KULACZ (AUS) 72 71 143
38 Jbe KRUGER (RSA) 73 70 143
38 MAENG Dong-seop (KOR) 73 70 143
38 HWANG Jae-min (KOR) 74 69 143
47 LEE Seung-ho (KOR) 70 74 144
47 Richard MCEVOY (ENG) 71 73 144
47 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 71 73 144
47 Andrew DODT (AUS) 72 72 144
47 Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 72 72 144
47 Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) 73 71 144
47 Michael JONZON (SWE) 73 71 144
47 JUNG Jae-hoon (KOR) 75 69 144
47 KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 75 69 144
47 Peter WHITEFORD (SCO) 75 69 144
47 Marcel SIEM (GER) 76 68 144
58 Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 68 77 145
58 Carlos DEL MORAL (ESP) 69 76 145
58 KIM Do-hoon 752 (KOR) 70 75 145
58 KIM Hyung-sung (KOR) 70 75 145
58 Michael HOEY (NIR) 71 74 145
58 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 72 73 145
58 Danny CHIA (MAS) 72 73 145
58 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 73 72 145
58 Todd HAMILTON (USA) 73 72 145
58 CHUNG Joon (KOR) 74 71 145
58 KANG Kyung-nam (KOR) 74 71 145
58 HAN Min-kyu (KOR) 74 71 145
58 Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR) 75 70 145
58 LIN Wen-hong (TPE) 76 69 145
58 Simon DYSON (ENG) 77 68 145
58 LEE Sung (KOR) 79 66 145
MISSED THE CUT
74 Joost LUITEN (NED) 71 75 146
74 LEE Han-gu (KOR) 72 74 146
74 Oliver WILSON (ENG) 72 74 146
74 BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 73 73 146
74 Rafa ECHENIQUE (ARG) 73 73 146
74 KIM Soo-hwan (KOR) 73 73 146
74 Angelo QUE (PHI) 73 73 146
74 Ernie ELS (RSA) 73 73 146
74 Ian POULTER (ENG) 74 72 146
74 Tano GOYA (ARG) 74 72 146
74 LU Wei-chih (TPE) 74 72 146
74 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 74 72 146
74 David DRYSDALE (SCO) 75 71 146
74 Daniel GAUNT (AUS) 76 70 146
74 CHOI Ho-sung (KOR) 76 70 146
74 Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 77 69 146
74 LAM Chih Bing (SIN) 78 68 146
74 Alastair FORSYTH (SCO) 79 67 146
92 KIM Seung-hyuk (KOR) 73 74 147
92 Graeme STORM (ENG) 74 73 147
92 Mark BROWN (NZL) 74 73 147
92 HU Mu (CHN) 74 73 147
92 Niclas FASTH (SWE) 74 73 147
92 Pablo MARTIN (ESP) 75 72 147
92 LEE Tae-hee (KOR) 76 71 147
92 Jason KNUTZON (USA) 76 71 147
92 John HUH (KOR) 76 71 147
101 S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 71 77 148
101 PARK Eun-shin (KOR) 72 76 148
101 KIM Wi-joong (KOR) 73 75 148
101 Chris WOOD (ENG) 73 75 148
101 SON Joon-eob (KOR) 74 74 148
101 Scott BARR (AUS) 75 73 148
101 LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 76 72 148
101 Y.E. YANG (KOR) 76 72 148
101 Rafael CABRERA-BELLO (ESP) 76 72 148
101 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 77 71 148
101 WU Kang-chun (CHN) 77 71 148
101 Michael CAMPBELL (NZL) 78 70 148
101 Jeppe HULDAHL (DEN) 78 70 148
101 Marcus BOTH (AUS) 79 69 148
115 KANG Ji-man (KOR) 73 76 149
115 Gavin FLINT (AUS) 74 75 149
115 Chris RODGERS (ENG) 75 74 149
115 Ben FOX (USA) 75 74 149
115 LEE Min-chang (KOR) 76 73 149
120 Thorbjorn OLESEN (DEN) 74 76 150
120 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 75 75 150
120 Joakim HAEGGMAN (SWE) 76 74 150
120 Danny LEE (NZL) 76 74 150
120 Darren BECK (AUS) 77 73 150
120 Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 77 73 150
120 BANG Doo-hwan (KOR) 77 73 150
120 PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 78 72 150
128 HWANG Inn-choon (KOR) 76 75 151
128 CHAN Yih-shin (TPE) 76 75 151
128 KWON Myung-ho (KOR) 78 73 151
128 BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 79 72 151
132 Stephen DODD (WAL) 75 77 152
132 Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 76 76 152
132 LEE Dong-min (KOR) 77 75 152
132 JOO Heung-chol (KOR) 78 74 152
132 Anthony KANG (USA) 79 73 152
137 CHAN Shin-chang (TPE) 78 75 153
138 Keith HORNE (RSA) 76 78 154
138 Mikko ILONEN (FIN) 76 78 154
138 NOH Seung-yul (KOR) 77 77 154
138 SONG Ki-joon (KOR) 80 74 154
138 Kunal BHASIN (AUS) 80 74 154
138 KANG Wook-soon (KOR) 80 74 154
138 PARK No-seok (KOR) 80 74 154
145 Tony CAROLAN (AUS) 73 82 155
145 Nick DOUGHERTY (ENG) 73 82 155
145 Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 74 81 155
145 Oliver FISHER (ENG) 78 77 155
149 Mars PUCAY (PHI) 80 76 156
150 Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 76 82 158
150 Peter KARMIS (RSA) 82 76 158
150 Fredrik ANDERSSON HED (SWE) 82 76 158
153 Iain STEEL (MAS) 75 87 162
154 KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR) 82 82 164
155 JEONG Jin (KOR) 83 83 166
RYU Hyun-woo (KOR) 80 withdrew