Glasson leads by 2 at Tradition

Published November 20, 2014

Bill Glasson is entering uncharted territory through two rounds of the Tradition, the second major of the year on the Champions Tour.

Glasson carded a three-under 69 in Friday's second round to lead after 36 holes at nine-under-par 135.

The 52-year-old never won a major on the PGA Tour and in just over two seasons on the Champions Tour, Glasson hasn't finished better than tied for sixth in a major.

He posted back-to-back subpar rounds for the fourth time in seven majors on the senior circuit. Though in his previous six majors on the Champions Tour, he has finished in red figures just two times.

"It's been a while, but then again, I pretty much led for two days, so the more holes I play with the lead, the less uncomfortable theoretically it should be," Glasson said of being atop the leaderboard. "I figured I was pretty much on the leaderboard or top of it almost all day yesterday.

"Then playing with the lead all day today, whether it benefits me this week or down the road, I can't help but think the more holes I play with the lead, the more benefit I'm going to get out of it."

Russ Cochran, the reigning Senior British Open champ, posted a four-under 68 to move into second place at minus-seven at Shoal Creek.

Defending champion Tom Lehman carded his second straight three-under 69 to move into a share of third place at six-under-par 138. He was joined there by Jeff Sluman (68), Brad Bryant (69) and two-time champion Fred Funk (71)

Dan Forsman, who shared the first-round lead with Glasson, stumbled to a one- over 73 that dropped him into a share of seventh at minus-five. He stands alongside Bernhard Langer, who shot 71 on Friday.

Glasson got off to a quick start with an eight-foot birdie putt on the second and a two-putt birdie on the third. From there, he ran off eight consecutive pars.

The seven-time winner on the PGA Tour birdied the 12th for the second time in two days, this time from six feet out. Glasson ran home a 12-foot birdie effort on the 14th to move to 10-under.

Glasson hit a poor par putt on the 16th, which stayed above ground and gave him his first bogey of the week. He parred the last two holes to lead by two.

"I think I actually played a little bit better today than yesterday, didn't miss any fairways, I don't believe, and kind of kept myself out of trouble for the most part," Glasson stated. "But overall, I didn't putt quite as well, I had some good looks and didn't make them."

Cochran, who had broken par in three of his last eight rounds entering the week, had a steady front nine. He birdied the par-five third and the par-three fifth get to five-under.

Around the turn, Cochran tripped to the only bogey of his round at the 10th. He atoned for that mistake with a birdie on No. 12.

Cochran jumped into second place with back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16. He also parred the final two holes to end two back.

NOTES: Glasson has never had the 36-hole lead on the Champions Tour, and the last time he was in that position on the PGA Tour was in 1997...On the PGA Tour, Glasson won two of the seven times he led after 36 holes...Roger Chapman, who won the year's first major, the Senior PGA Championship, carded a one-over 73 to slip into a share of 38th at plus-three.

URL

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