11/07/2008 - Lake Buena Vista, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Verplank fired his second consecutive eight-under 64 on Friday to move atop the leaderboard after the second round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank finished 36 holes at 16-under 128, which missed the tournament record by a stroke, and he is three shots clear of Steve Marino (66) and overnight leader Troy Matteson (68).
Players competed with amateurs the first two days and action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course. Verplank's round on Friday was at the Palm Course, while Marino and Matteson posted their numbers at Magnolia, which hosts the final two rounds.
This is the final PGA Tour event of the season and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.
The top three golfers on the leaderboard are safe, but the trio tied for fourth are on the outside looking into the top 125.
Robert Gamez (190th), Tag Ridings (154th) and Robert Garrigus (141st) share fourth place at 12-under 132.
The other big story this week is that of Erik Compton, who is playing on a sponsor's exemption. Compton is five weeks removed from his second heart transplant and he will be playing on the weekend.
Compton shot a four-under 68 at the Magnolia Course and came in at six-under 138, one shot better than the cut line.
Verplank started well with a birdie at the par-five first, but dropped a shot at the par-four fourth. He rattled off back-to-back birdies from No. 6 to reach 10-under for the championship.
Verplank flew out of the gate on his back nine with birdies at 10 and 11. He parred the next two, but grabbed sole possession of the lead with a 60-foot eagle at the par-five 14th.
"It was kind of one of those deals where I misread it a little bit, but from 60 feet, every now and then you need to get a little lucky," admitted Verplank.
That eagle sparked some great golf from the two-time Ryder Cupper. Verplank birdied his next three holes to get to 17-under par and a par at the last would give Verplank a share of the 36-hole record.
Unfortunately, Verplank drove into a bunker at the last. He could not save par, but still has a three-shot lead in his quest for a sixth PGA Tour victory.
Verplank has only two top 10s this year and the problem has been his usually reliable flat stick.
"I've been a decent player for a long time, and I've generally been a pretty good putter most of my career and it's been a real struggle this year," acknowledged Verplank, who ranks 72nd on tour in putting. "I've gotten back into a little comfort zone."
Ken Duke (67), Jason Gore (67), Kevin Streelman (69), Tom Pernice, Jr. (67), Bob Estes (63) and Scott Sterling (63) are tied for seventh place at 11-under 133. Gore and Sterling are both outside the top 125.
Martin Laird is 126th and shot a 66 on Friday to get into a tie for 13th at minus-10. Jeff Overton is the bubble boy at 125 and is one shot behind Laird at nine-under 135.
Defending champion Stephen Ames is in the hunt. He shot his second straight, four-under 68 and is part of a large group tied for 27th place at eight-under 136.
The cut fell at five-under 139 and former PGA Champion Steve Elkington (140), Jesper Parnevik (141) and Brad Faxon (144) will all miss the weekend.
<< Fiorentina's Mutu out two weeks
Florence, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has been
ruled out for two weeks with a stomach muscle injury.
The injury-plagued Romania international picked up his latest problem after
scoring during the midweek
<< Newcastle's Kinnear slams Owen rumors
Newcastle, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear has
denied reports which suggested Michael Owen could join Chelsea in the January
transfer window.
The 28-year-old striker's future on Tyneside remains uncertain
<< Lazio's Mauri hopes to sign new contract
Rome, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri has urged the
Rome club to offer him a new contract.
The former Udinese winger is out of contract at the end of the current season
but, after proving his worth to the f
<< Aberdeen's Duff set for knee surgery
Aberdeen, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aberdeen midfielder Stuart Duff is
unlikely to play again this year after being told he needs surgery on his
injured knee.
Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood made the decision to send Duff for an op
United's Hargreaves to see knee specialist >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manchester United midfielder Owen
Hargreaves has traveled to the United States in an attempt to get to the bottom
of his troublesome knee injury.
Since moving from Bayern Munich to Old Trafford
Celtic goalie Boruc to have knee surgery >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc will have
knee surgery after Saturday's game against Motherwell which is likely to keep
him out of action for the rest of November.
Mark Brown will replace the Poland i
Steelers' Parker doubtful, Roethlisberger probable vs. Colts >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie
Parker is listed as doubtful, while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is listed
as probable for Sunday's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
After returning
Real Madrid, Schuster switch focus to Malaga >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster doesn't want
to dwell on the past, even if he's referring to the last few weeks.
Real Madrid has dropped consecutive Champions League matches to Juventus - just
Wednesday los
MySportsbook.com, Online Sportsbook and Casino, is celebrating our 9th football season online since our launch in 1997. MySportsbook.com has experienced exponential growth, having taken over $8 billion in Sports and Casino Wagers since we opened our doors.
This year we will accept over $3 billion in wagers. Tens of thousands of winning wagers are created daily for the 300,000 people that have joined our website. In August of 2005, MySportsbook.com was acquired by Sportingbet, a UK company which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Combined, MySportsbook.com and Sportingbet easily form the world's largest internet sportsbook company and one of the internet's most profitable companies. The acquisition has provided for added transparency and accountability to MySportsbook.com customers and thus provides more safety and security for our customers. Our business is audited by BDO Stoy Hayward, one of the largest auditing firms in London, and our accounts are published quarterly on the London Exchange. We encourage you to take a look around and truly hope you enjoy your experience.
Through advertising deals with the top handicapping sites in the world, MySportsbook.com reaches a global audience and is one of the most commonly visited gaming spots on the Internet.
MySportsbook.com offers the largest selection of casino games and sporting wagers on the Internet. We believe that an educated player is a more responsible gambler, thus we provide you with all of the latest news and handicapping information. MySportsbook.com is your ultimate destination for gaming information and wagering. You can start by signing up in the Casino or Sportsbook. Once you sign up you can use your same login in either the casino or Sportsbook. So do it now and start winning serious money Today!
If at any time you have a question, we have numerous people waiting to help you, so don't be afraid to call our customer service department. We do not take any telephone wagers but we can certainly answer any questions you may have about our service.
MySportsbook.com is officially licensed in Antigua as a preferred licensee recognized by the Directorate of offshore gaming of Antigua and Barbuda.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts credit cards needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting