Peterson takes over lead at halfway

There must be something about the air here that excites Matt Peterson.

He sank a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 17 and a 30-footer for another on the 18th green Friday to move to 11 under and take a one-shot lead after two rounds of the $400,000 BUY.COM Knoxville Open.

J.J. Henry used his second consecutive round of 65 to claim second, while Spike McRoy (69) and Chris Smith are two strokes behind and tied for third. Patrick Burke (67) is three strokes back in fifth. Smith set the tournament record with a 64 Friday.

First-round leader Tripp Isenhour shot 72 and fell back into a tie for sixth at 7 under with local Jimmy Johnston (68), Mike Smith (65) and Jack Ferenz.

Peterson wielded a hot putter during the second round at Fox Den Country Club. Five of his six birdies came from more than 15 feet.

"Making putts (was the key). I've been putting well pretty much all year," said Peterson. "I've been struggling with my ball-striking, which usually isn't my problem. Putting usually is."

Actually, the real reason Peterson has risen to the top of the leaderboard might be the fact that his brother, Perry, is caddying for him this week.

"I always play good with him on the bag. You can look back and I don't think I have ever missed a cut with him on the bag," said Peterson, who has three top-15 finishes in his last four Knoxville Open appearances -- including ties for second and third.

Henry and McRoy played in the same group the first two days and fed off of each other as they climbed up the leaderboard.

"Anytime you have someone in your group that is playing well too, I think it definitely helps to carry the momentum through the round. He would make a putt and I would make a putt. It was definitely a positive," said Henry.

Henry will be playing in the last group on Saturday for the second time this season. After 36 holes at the BUY.COM Monterrey Open, Henry trailed the leader by one before finishing in a tie for sixth.

"I've been in this position a couple of times. I am not going to put any more pressure on myself -- just try and go out and do the things I have been doing and hopefully it will work out," said Henry, who had three top-10s in his first season on the Tour.

"The more chances I put myself in position like this, the more I will learn and the better off I will be in the long run. It's really just my second year out here and I am one of the youngest guys out here. I feel like I am getting better and better."

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