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Sports

Barber snares share of lead at News Sentinel Open

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Knoxville, TN – Blayne Barber shot 4-under-par 67 on Friday to grab a share of the lead after two rounds of the News Sentinel Open.

Barber, a Monday qualifier, was joined by Richard Scott at 9-under 133 through 36 holes. Scott, who is the only player in the field yet to make a bogey, carded a second-round 66 at Fox Den Country Club.

"Today was really good," said Barber. "I got off to a slow start on the front (nine). I just re-evaluated when I made the turn and calmed down a little on the back nine. So it was a good day. There is still a lot of golf left. The goal is to put yourself in position going into the weekend, and I feel like I'm in a good spot."

First-round co-leader Tim Wilkinson shot 70 and dropped into a tie for third place at 7-under 135. He was joined there by Kevin Kisner (65), Chad Collins (67), Ashley Hall (67) and Nick Flanagan (68).

Michael Putnam, who shared the first-round lead with Wilkinson, stumbled to a 74 and slipped to 44th place at 3-under 139. A two-time winner this season, Putnam will earn an automatic promotion to the PGA Tour with a victory.

Barber, a non-Web.com Tour member, was tied for second after two rounds in his previous start on the circuit, the Mylan Classic, before being disqualified for signing an incorrect card.

"I've just been playing some good golf lately, going back to three weeks ago," said Barber. "I feel like things are clicking, I'm playing well, so I'm just trying to keep that momentum going."

He started slow on Friday, going 1-over with two bogeys during his outward nine before righting himself after the turn.

Barber kicked off his inward stretch with a birdie, added three more in a 4-hole span from the 13th, then wrapped up his round with a 2-foot birdie make at the 18th to hit the clubhouse with the lead.

Scott, who missed the cut in 13 of his previous 19 starts, teed off from the 10th and went bogey-free. He hit 16 of 18 fairways and notched five birdies, including one at the par-4 eighth, which allowed him to pull even with Barber at minus-9.

"I've been pretty much in and around the hole and not in too many predicaments out here," said Scott. "All year I've made enough birdies. I've just made too many mistakes. This week, I've put it together. I'm really looking forward to the weekend."

NOTES: The last qualifier to win a Web.com Tour event was Ted Potter, Jr., who titled the 2011 South Georgia Classic ... Scott's best finish on the Web.com Tour this season is a tie for 21st at the Utah Championship ... Eric Axley and Scott Pinckney both withdrew Friday due to injury. Axley pulled out during his round, while Pinckney never began the second round.