NORTH CAROLINA — American Jimmy Walker played some boring golf to grab a one-shot lead over compatriot and defending champion Webb Simpson at the Wyndham Championship following Friday's weather-affected second round. Walker fired a flawless eight-under 62 at the Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina, to move to 12-under for the tournament ahead of US Open champion Simpson (63), who was also bogey free in the defense of his inaugural PGA Tour win. Spain's Sergio Garcia showed he was not ready to give up on his aspirations of playing in a sixth European team as he fired a 63 to take a share of third place alongside South African Tim Clark (67), American Harris English (64) and overnight leader Carl Pettersson (68) of Sweden a shot further back at 130. The Spanish world No. 29 sunk seven birdies in a bogey-free round to give himself a great chance to move back into the mix. “Everybody knows how much the Ryder Cup means to me,” Garcia told reporters. “I have a chance this week. I'm going to give it my best shot.” American Tim Herron produced a stunning turnaround from his six-over 76 first round, firing an course record-equalling 61 to make the weekend and keep his slim playoff hopes alive. For others, though, the playoff dream is already over after missing the cut. Double heart-transplant recipient Erik Compton (144) and former major winners David Duval (143) and John Daly (140) will fall short after failing to make the weekend. Miyazato, Michaels share lead In Oregon, Mika Miyazato and Sydnee Michaels overcame hot conditions to shoot 7-under 65 Friday and share the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic. Miyazato and Michaels each had eight birdies and a bogey on Pumpkin Ridge's Ghost Creek Course. Michaels, who won twice last year on the developmental Symetra Tour, had her best round of her rookie season. She's coming off a career-best 21st-place tie last week in the Toledo Classic. Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Pornanong Phatlum were a stroke back. So Yeon Ryu, the Toledo Classic winner last week, was two shots behind at 67 along with Brittany Lincicome, Alison Walshe and Jee Young Lee. Michelle Wie opened with a 69, top-ranked Yani Tseng had a 70, defending champion Suzann Pettersen shot 71, and second-ranked Stacy Lewis had a 73. Miyazato made four consecutive birdies during the middle of her round and pulled into a tie for the lead with a birdie on the 431-yard, par-4 18th, the toughest hole Friday. — Agencies
