Kite takes two shot lead

Tom Kite, seeking his third victory of the season, shot a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Napa Valley Championship.

Kite had a 12-under 132 total on the Silverado Resort course. First-round leader Allen Doyle was 10 under after a 70, and 65-year-old Charles Coody had a 67 to join Bob Gilder (69) at 8 under.

"I'm obviously very pleased with being in the lead," said Kite, making his first senior appearance in Napa. "But it's far from secure. This is the type of golf course where you can shoot some low scores. I have to go out and play very solid golf tomorrow."

Kite grabbed a share of the lead with a 60-foot eagle putt on the par-5, 512-yard ninth hole, and took over sole possession of the top spot with a birdie on No. 10. The Texan added birdies on Nos. 15 and 16, and opened a three-shot lead with a birdie on the final hole.

"That (eagle) really jump-started the round," Kite said. "I played real solid the first eight holes, but got nothing for it. But making a bomb on No. 9 was exactly what I needed. I was trying to two-putt and just made a beautiful putt."

Coody eagled No. 4 and added a birdie on No. 9. He pulled within one shot of the lead with consecutive birdies on Nos. 15 and 16, moving to 8 under.

"This course has always been good to me," said Coody, who won the tournament in 1991. "It's a fun place to come and I've always enjoyed it. You have to be realistic about your chances, but you have to believe it in the back of your mind that you can win, otherwise it's not worth the effort."

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