JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Matt Kuchar completed a round of six-under-par 65 early Saturday morning to claim a two-stroke lead after 36 holes of the Barclays, the opening event of the FedExCup playoffs. Kuchar was at 11-under-par 131, with 2012 US Open champion Webb Simpson and long-hitting Gary Woodland tied for second at nine-under 133 at the halfway mark of the weather-hit tournament. World No. 6 Kuchar returned with 39 other players to complete the second round in windy conditions and put the event back on schedule after thunderstorms caused more than six hours of delays on Thursday's opening day. The 35-year-old Kuchar birdied three of the five holes he had left to play, rolling in a 28-footer at the par-three 14th, and bogeyed the two others including the 18th. Kuchar was to return to the course in the afternoon for the third round as scheduled. Tiger Woods missed a 13-foot putt for birdie when play resumed at 14 after the suspension due to darkness Friday, but birdied the 17th to improve to six under par, five shots off the pace. South African Charl Schwartzel completed a second-round 67 to reach seven-under 135, a total he shared with reigning Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia, 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley and Rickie Fowler. Twice major winner Rory McIlroy returned Saturday to complete a 65 that featured eight birdies to join a group of nine at 136. Along with world No. 1 Woods, the group also included US Open champion Justin Rose and fellow Briton David Lynn, Spain's Sergio Garcia, Sweden's Freddie Jacobson and Jonas Blixt, Brandon de Jonge of Zimbabwe and American Jim Furyk. With birdies flying on the rain-softened layout along the edge of New York harbor, the cut was set at even-par 142 with 80 players qualifying for the final two rounds. Among those missing it were former US Open winner Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (143), England's Ian Poulter (145) and American Brandt Snedeker (143), who entered the event in third place on the FedExCup points list. The top 125 players on the list qualified for the Barclays. The leading 100 players on the points list will advance to next week's event, the Deutsche Bank Classic in Boston. Gonzalez, Fleetwood share lead In Scotland, Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez and England's Tommy Fleetwood share the lead on 16-under after the third round of the championship at Gleneagles. Gonzalez, who is ranked 352nd, grabbed four birdies to shoot a 2-under 70 Saturday. The 22-year-old Fleetwood started birdie-eagle but also bogeyed the last in a 5-under 67. Two share lead In Alberta, top-ranked Inbee Park shot a 5-under 65 Friday for a share of the second-round lead with playing partner Cristie Kerr in the Canadian Women's Open. Park had seven birdies and two bogeys at Royal Mayfair to match Kerr at 8-under 132. Kerr shot her second straight 66. Angela Stanford and France's Karine Icher were a stroke back. Icher had a 66, and Stanford shot 68. Defending champion Lydia Ko was 6 under after a 69. — Agencies
