PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida: The Players Championship is set for a showdown between home favorites and British challengers with American David Toms the unlikely leader after Friday's second round. The 44-year-old Toms, without a win in five years, fired a four-under-par 68 for a 10-under total of 134, one shot ahead of compatriot Nick Watney (71) in stifling heat at the TPC Sawgrass. Lurking in the chasing group were Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (69), looking back in form after a nightmare couple of months, and world No. 3 Luke Donald (67) from England, sitting two shots off the lead. Adding to the contrast between young faces from the British Isles and experienced Americans, 44-year-old Steve Stricker from Wisconsin also ended the day eight under par along with Lucas Glover, who won last week at Quail Hollow. One player definitely not where he wanted to be at the weekend is the much-talked about emerging American talent Rickie Fowler, who missed the cut after rounds of 77 and 68. Ireland's Padraig Harrington also missed out after a dreadful round of 78 where he shot three bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine.Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Japan's Ryuji Imada, Fijian Vijay Singh and German Alex Cejka also missed the cut. Henson leads by two Berry Henson of the United States battled through dehydration on the last four holes to take the third-round lead at the ICTSI Philippine Open in Manila Saturday. Henson, an Asian Tour rookie, posted a one-under-par 71 in tough scoring conditions where only nine players broke par at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Manila. Jbe Kruger of South Africa and local hope Jay Bayron were two strokes back after shooting 73 and 74 respectively for a 212 total. Thai trio Pariya Junhasavasdikul, Chapchai Nirat and Prom Meesawat shared fourth place with Filipino Mars Pucay and 49-year-old Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei on matching scores of 214. Australian Brad Smith shot the best score of the day with a 68 to move up to tied 13th place, six strokes from the leader. Wood extends Mallorca lead Chris Wood shot a 1-under 69 to extend his Mallorca Open lead to four strokes after Saturday's third round. The English player started with a birdie 3 at the first and saved back-to-back pars after another birdie at the par-5 10th. The only fault on a steady day was a bogey 5 at the 14th as he took his overall tally to 9-under 201 to improve his overnight lead by one. Shane Lowry equaled the Pula course record with a 7-under 63 to trail alongside Darren Clarke (70) of Northern Ireland at 5-under 205. managed five birdies after a bogey 5 at No. 3 to go 4-under after his round of 66. French player Gregory Bourdy overcame a second round 77 to sit alongside David Lynn (71) and Scott Jamieson (69) at 3-under after shooting 67.
