PEBBLE BEACH — American Jimmy Walker edged one step closer to a third victory on the 2013-14 PGA Tour when he moved into an tie for the lead after the rain-delayed second round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Friday. FedExCup points leader Walker fired a three-under-par 69 at Spyglass Hill, one of three venues being used this week, to sit on nine-under after 36 holes. The 34-year-old collected three birdies in a bogey-free display in mainly overcast, breezy conditions to finish level with fellow American Jordan Spieth, who returned a six-birdie 67 at Monterey Peninsula. Spieth, the 2013 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year who clinched his maiden title at the John Deere Classic in July, birdied his final hole, the par-three ninth, to join Walker at the top. Just one stroke shy of the lead sits fellow American Hunter Mahan after a four-under 68 at Spyglass Hill moved the 31-year-old five-time Tour winner to eight-under. Mahan carded six birdies and two bogeys to move into the mix. First-round leader Andrew Loupe was another stroke back at seven under after carding a one-over 73 on the hosting Pebble Beach Golf Links. Richard Lee (72) sits alone in fifth place at six-under while 11 players are tied sixth at five-under. Tournament favorite and world No. 4 Phil Mickelson was five off the pace in a tie for 17th after signing for a roller-coaster 73. Cheyenne Woods ahead American Cheyenne Woods will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Ladies' Masters after shooting a 2-under 71 Saturday to stay on track for her first professional victory in Gold Coast. The 23-year-old niece of Tiger Woods had a three-round total of 12-under 207 at the Royal Pines Resort. Stacey Lee Bregman of South Africa, who shared the lead with Woods at the start of the round, had a 72 to hold second place, a stroke ahead of 17-year-old Minjee Lee, who shot a 69. Molinari, Lee share Joburg lead Edoardo Molinari and Craig Lee share the halfway lead at the Joburg Open on 11-under par, while David Horsey charged into contention with a 63 to sit a shot off the lead Friday. England's Horsey went 8 under through his second round with eight birdies and no dropped shots on the West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington to be in contention for a first European Tour title in three years. Ahead of him, Molinari and Lee held onto their overnight advantage. Molinari had a 4-under 68 on the longer, tougher East Course and Lee a 67 on the West. George Coetzee is tied for third alongside Horsey on 10 under. Finland's Roope Kakko matched Horsey for best round of the day with his 8-under 64 on the East to move to 9-under. — Agencies
