Pate & Frazar share lead at halfway

Steve Pate closed his 7-under 65 with two birdies Friday and shared the lead with Harrison Frazar after two rounds of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Pate, who hasn't won on the PGA tour in six years and hasn't finished better than 15th this year, was at 12-under 132 after his second trip around the 7,199-yard course at Annandale Golf Club. He made a 27-foot birdie putt on the 409-yard 17th, then went for the eagle on the par-5 18th, but left his 49-foot putt short and tapped in.

"There was no thought about laying up there," Pate said.

Frazar, who had two eagles in his 67, started the round tied for the lead with John Senden and Glen Day. Chris Couch shot a 63 Friday and was tied at 133 with Senden (67) and Patrick Sheehan (68).

Frazar eagled the 522-yard fifth for the second straight day, reaching the green in two and making a 27-foot putt. Then, he used a sand wedge to hole his 110-yard second shot on the 414-yard 13th.

They made up for two bogeys he attributed to playing too aggressively.

"I hit decent shots, but tried to throw them too far behind the flag," Frazar said. "I hit them too far and paid the price."

Day shot a 70 and was in a group of seven three strokes behind the leaders.

Frazar finished no better than 11th in 16 tournaments since March, after three top 10 finishes in his first five events this year. He's relaxed and playing for the first time after a four-week layoff, and said he can afford to be more aggressive because he's 59th on the money list and isn't worried about losing his PGA tour card.

The top 125 on the money list keep their cards next year.

"I don't have the pressure of trying to keep my job," Frazar said. "We all have pressure. ... But I'm not playing for my livelihood."

Pate might be. He's 191st on the money list and is playing here on a sponsor's exemption. He has won six times in his 21-year career, but not since 1998.

"The way I've played the last few years, I have found that life doesn't end if you don't play well," Pate said.

Senden was 13 under through 17, but double-bogeyed his final hole to fall one stroke off the pace. He hit his drive on the 450-yard ninth into the water.

"You play this game on this tour to get yourself in position," Senden said. "As long as I keep myself in the position again tomorrow, I give myself a chance for Sunday."

Sheehan had five birdies on the front nine to pull to 11 under, then finished with nine straight pars.

"The back nine wasn't the greatest nine holes, but I'm still in good shape," said Sheehan, who is winless but finished second two weeks ago in San Antonio.

David Duval finished at 1 under and missed the cut for the fifth time in seven events this year. The 13-time winner and 2001 British Open champion had four bogeys in his second-round 72.

"I don't have a lot to say about it," Duval said. "I'm real disappointed."

Corey Pavin, the 1995 U.S. Open champion, finished at even par. The cut was 3 under.

Fred Funk had six birdies, including three straight starting on No. 11, to finish four strokes back and remain in contention. He said the abundance of low scores in the early rounds could make for a tough final two days.

"I've got to shoot at least two 7-unders just to have a chance," Funk said.

Brenden and Deane Pappas, brothers who began the day one stroke behind, fell off the pace. Deane Pappas shot a 70 and Brenden Pappas had a 72.

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