SAN ANTONIO — American Jimmy Walker took advantage of greatly improved weather conditions at his home tournament to seize an early one-shot lead in the second round of the Texas Open in sunny San Antonio Friday. The 36-year-old fired a sparkling five-under-par 67 on a challenging layout at the TPC San Antonio with three consecutive birdies in his last four holes. Walker, who clinched his fourth PGA Tour victory at the Sony Open in January, picked up shots at the sixth, seventh and eighth before ending his round with a comfortable par at the ninth to post a six-under total of 138. Australian Aaron Baddeley (71) and American Charley Hoffman (72) were tied at five under, a stroke better than world No. 6 Jordan Spieth (69) and fellow American Kevin Na (68). “I hit a couple of good shots in there and just kept trying to build on each hole there at the end,” San Antonio resident Walker told Golf Channel. “That was a nice little finish. “I've been working hard on my putting at home and it was ready to go this week. It feels like the hard work is paying off.” The players had struggled in strong gusts up to 40 mph Thursday when the average score was just under 77, but on Friday the wind died down and switched direction. Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson was among a group of five players at two under after shooting a 72. The cut fell at six-over 150 with US Open champion Martin Kaymer and fellow former major winners Lucas Glover and Geoff Ogilvy among those failing to advance. Pressel joins Lee In Carlsbad, United States, Morgan Pressel fired record-equaling eight-under par 64 Friday to join Lee Mi-rim atop the leaderboard after two rounds of the LPGA Kia Classic. America's Pressel had eight birdies with no bogeys in a round that matched the course record at Aviara Golf Club. Her 10-under par total of 134 tied her for the halfway lead with South Korea's overnight leader Lee, who signed for a second-round 69 that included six birdies and three bogeys. They were one stroke in front of Americans Alison Lee, who climbed up the leaderboard with a 66, and Cristie Kerr, who carded a 68. Spain's Maria Hernandez also posted a six-under 66 to grab a share of fifth place on eight-under 136. She was tied with Japan's Sakura Yokomine (67), South Korean Kim Hyo-joo (68) and American Brittany Lang (68). World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand headed a group on 137, firing a two-under 70 for her 26th straight LPGA Tour round under par. She was tied with world No. 3 Stacy Lewis, who shot 69, and Alison Walshe, who carded a 67. — Agencies
