Blackey leads after record 63

Englishman Matt Blackey shot a course record 8-under-par 63 today to lead the 144-man field after the second round of the $750,000 Sao Paulo 500 Years Open.

It is the first time Blackey had led a PGA European Tour event since gaining his card in qualifying school last November.

But the 28-year-old is only one stroke ahead of Welshman David Park, who shot a 67 Friday for 134.

"His (Blackey's) 63 was a fantastic effort today, but it makes me laugh to think that we were chatting last night and he kept moaning about how he could never keep a good score going. The next morning he goes out and shoots a course record," Park said.

Blackey and Park, who have known each other since they played amateur golf, are rooming together in a Sao Paulo hotel this week.

Per Nyman of Sweden followed with a 68 to share third place at 135 with Spain's Tomas Munoz, who is playing on a medical exemption after undergoing surgery for a hand injury last September.

Jean-Francois Remesy and another qualifying school graduate, Ian Poulter, tied for fifth at 136 after shooting 67s.

The Sao Paulo 500 Years Open is the second of the two tournaments marking the first time the PGA's European tour has traveled to South America.

Englishman Robert Chapman won the first, which ended last Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

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