La Quinta, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Epperson fired a 9-under 63 on Friday to take a four-shot lead after two rounds of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.
Epperson, who had six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour Canada in 2013, finished 36 holes at 16-under-par 128.
Steve Saunders (65) and Nathan Tyler (66) share second place at minus-12. The three players all played the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West in round two.
Andy Pope carded a 7-under 65 at the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West to move into fourth place at 11-under 133. Chris Parra posted a 4-under 68 to move into fifth at minus-10 and Scott Pinckney carded a 5-under 67 to end at 9- under-par 135.
Max Homa fired an 8-under 64 to soar into a share of seventh at 8-under 136. He was joined there by six others.
First-round leader Justin Shin struggled to a 2-over 74 and tumbled into a share of 25th at minus-6.
Epperson played the back nine first on Friday and opened with back-to-back birdies. He had birdies at 13 and 15 to climb to minus-11.
After a pair of pars, Epperson birdied the 18th and first to get to 13-under, where he was five clear of the field.
Epperson also converted birdie chances at three and five to remain five ahead of the field. After three pars in a row, he closed with a birdie at the last.
"Everything seems to be clicking. My tempo is nice. I really didn't have any expectations. The goal was to get a card. I'm trying to approach it as any other tournament," Epperson stated. "My coach and I have been working on our process -- get your yardage, get your club, focus on your target and just hit it."
Saunders matched Epperson's start with three birdies in his first four holes. He ran off six consecutive pars from the 14th, then poured in four birdies in a 6-hole stretch from the second to jump into second place.
Tyler traded a birdie for a bogey from the 11th. After a birdie on No. 13, he ran off three straight birdies from the 15th to get to 10-under.
Around the turn, Tyler bogeyed the third, but came right back with a birdie on the fourth. He carded back-to-back birdie chances at seven and eight.
NOTES: Epperson's only PGA Tour start was at the 2011 Heritage, where he missed the cut ... His total of 128 is the lowest opening 36 holes at this two-course rotation ... The medalist this week earns fully exempt status on the Web.com Tour, while those who finish from second through 10th and ties are exempted through the first two reshuffles. Those finishing 11th through 45th are exempt through the first reshuffle.
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