Choi vaults into lead with 65

South Korea's K.J. Choi shot a 7-under-par 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Dan Forsman after the second round of the Compaq Classic.

``He's never led in the United States, so it is a new experience,'' Choi's translator said. ``But, if everything goes as today, he keeps the pace up and gets a better feel for the conditions, he thinks he has a very good shot this weekend.''

Choi had an 11-under 133 total on the English Turn course.

The wind, which had gusted at better than 27 mph on Thursday, was gusting at 20 Friday. The temperature hit 90, breaking the record for the day of 88.

Forsman, the first-round leader, shot a 69.

``It's been a while,'' said the 43-year-old Forsman, who won the last of his four PGA titles in 1992.

He needed only 26 putts Friday for a two-day total of 50.

``I think I have a good chance to play well this weekend,'' Forsman said. ``Because I'm putting well and striking the ball well.''

Tim Clark (67) was third at 9 under, and former Georgia Tech star Bryce Molder (67) and Billy Andrade (66) followed at 8 under.

Molder, who set the NCAA record for lowest career scoring average (70.69), used his fourth exemption of the year to jump up from the Buy.Com Tour to the PGA Tour. It's the first time Molder has made the cut on the tour this season.

``I started hitting well at about the 13th, 14th, 15th hole, started driving well,'' said Molder, who began play on No. 10. ``I was already hitting irons well, so I felt really good about the round.''

Geoff Ogilvie (67) was 7 under along with John Rollins (69) and Rich Beem (70). Ogilvie had two eagles and three birdies in a five-hole stretch en route to a back-nine 30

``I started really well, five good holes,'' Ogilvie said. ``Disappointing finish, I had three bogeys in a row on the last four or five holes. It's a shame because I had been in good shape.''

Defending champion David Toms was five strokes back at 6 under after his second straight 69.

``I haven't played my best golf, but I've played consistent golf,'' Toms said. ``I haven't made a lot of mistakes.''

Choi had six birdies, an eagle and one bogey Friday. He finished strong with a birdie on 10, an eagle on 15, and a birdie on the difficult 18th.

``He's well aware that the 18th hole was kind of difficult because of the bunkers and the wind condition,'' Choi's translator said. ``He said that today his tee shot was good, that's why he was lucky.''

His second shot also was good, hitting the pin and stopping a foot from thehole.

Divots

Jeff Maggert had a hole-in-one on No. 17 en route to a 70 and a 5-under 139 total. Maggert has three career aces on the tour. ... Phil Mickelson was tied for 13th at 139 after a 66. ... The cut was at even-par 144, with 82 players making it. Among those not making the cut were former two-time champions Chip Beck (145) and Carlos Franco (150), Ernie Els (148), Craig Stadler (150) and Hal Sutton (150). ... Craig Perks, who won The Players Championship, posted a 9 on No. 15 on Thursday. In Friday, he had an eagle-3 onthe hole. Perks' 68 on Friday gave him a 144 total.

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