Paulson takes two shot lead

Carl Paulson shot a 5-under-par 66 today to take a two-stroke lead over Len Mattiace and Scott Gump after the second round of the Tampa Bay Classic.

Paulson, who earned his PGA Tour card this season by topping the 1999 Nike Tour money list, had a 10-under 132 total. He birdied five of the final nine holes today.

"I've already secured my card this season," said Paulson, 97th on the PGA Tour money list. "I'm just playing carefree right now. There's no way you're going to win a golf tournament out here playing scared.''

Mattiace also shot a 66. Gump, 169th on the money list, had a 68. Frank Lickliter (68) was three back at 135. First-round leader Mike Hulbert, 214th on the money list, shot a 75 to drop seven back at 139.

Paulson is attempting to reach his goal of five top-10 finishes and $500,000 for the season. He has three top-10s and earnings of $467,315.

"I'm swinging pretty well and I'm making some key putts," Paulson said. "If I continue to do that, I'll be in good shape."

Mattiace made three birdie putts of 20 feet or longer during his second straight bogey-free round. He missed just one green.

"It's nice to know I haven't made a bogey,'' Mattiace said. "In the past few weeks, I've made some bogeys and it's kept me from getting up near the lead. Overall, the day was very solid. I'm real happy where I'm at.''

Neither Paulson, Mattiace, Gump or Lickliter have a tour victory.

"When you haven't won, you think about it,'' Mattiace said. "When I'm on the golf course, like these two days, I've done a good job thinking about things that are important. The shot I'm about to hit, or the putt I'm about to hit. Off the golf course, I think about it a lot.''

Scott Hoch, 30th on the money list, missed the cut by one stroke with a 144 total. Steve Pate, Fuzzy Zoeller, Peter Jacobson, Corey Pavin, Gary Nicklaus, and Casey Martin also missed the cut.

The winner will receive $432,000 from the $2.4 million purse.

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