Verplank grabs lead with back-nine blitz at Disney World

Nov 8, 2008 - 1:34 AM KISSIMMEE, Florida (Ticker) - Scott Verplank used a late surge Friday to seize control at the Children's Miracle Network Classic.

Verplank sank a long eagle putt en route to his second straight 8-under-par 64 and a three-stroke lead over Steve Marino and Troy Matteson after two rounds.

Only a bogey at the 18th hole prevented Verplank from shooting a 29 on the back side. He is at 16-under 128 for this $4.6 million event, the final tournament of the year which is being played on the Magnolia and Palm courses at Walt Disney World.

"The only bad shot I really hit all day, I hit a sorry tee shot on 18," Verplank said. "Went up kind of on the lip of the bunker, so I had to lay up short of the green, lay up short, kind of sucked back into a divot and hit a really nice chip shot and really nice putt, and didn't get it in."

Entering the day one stroke off the lead, Verplank went ahead with an eagle on No. 14. He followed that up with consecutive birdies at Nos. 15-17 to open a four-shot cushion before the hiccup at 18.

"If the conditions stay the same, the scores will still be good," he said. "The greens are so good. The conditions are nice. The scores are always good here, especially when you get the weather like it was today. It couldn't be any better than it was today."

Verplank, who has just two top-10 finishes on the year, is seeking his sixth PGA Tour victory. His last win came at the Byron Nelson Championship in 2007.

First-round leader Matteson could not match his torrid opening 63, but he carded a 4-under 68 to join Marino at 13-under 131.

"It's always disappointing to finish on a bogey, but after you shoot 9-under, it's tough after a low round to come back out and try to repeat the performance," Matteson said. "Magnolia is always, I thought, a little tougher to play on than the Palm, but if you knock down your putts, you still got some opportunities out there. But I'm not disappointed at all."

Matteson had seven birdies and two bogeys Friday to keep him in the hunt for his first victory of the year. His only only other tour win was in 2006 at the Frys.com Open.

Marino, who is seeking his first career victory, surged up the leaderboard with a 6-under 66, his second straight bogey-free round.

"I've had a really consistent year, made almost every cut, but you know, obviously I'd like to get a win under my belt," Marino said. "But regardless of what happens this weekend, I look at this year for me as a successful year."

Robert Gamez (67), Tag Ridings (66) and Robert Garrigus (67) are another shot back at 12-under 132.

Bob Estes and Scott Sterling each signed for a bogey-free 63 and are part of a six-man group at 133.

Bob Tway had the low round of the day and tournament, reeling off 11 birdies for a 10-under 62 and moving to 135 for the tournament.

Defending champion Stephen Ames of Canada, looking for his first win of the season, carded his second straight 68 and is eight shots back.

Among those tied with Ames was Ryan Palmer, who won the Ginn Sur Mer Classic last week. Palmer vaulted into contention with a 65 that included a pair of eagles on the front nine.

The cut line was at 5-under 139.

First prize is $828,000.