Panzeri, Epperson share lead at ATB Financial Classic

Alberta, Canada – Joe Panzeri set a new course record with an 8-under 64 on Wednesday to grab a share of the lead after two rounds of the ATB Financial Classic.

Chris Epperson fired his second straight 6-under 66 during his second round at Country Hills Golf Club's Talons Course to meet Panzeri at 12-under-par 132

Nick Taylor also shot 66 to move into a tie with Mark Hubbard (67) for third place at 10-under.

Defending champion Michael Gligic (66), Dakota Dunes Open winner Wil Collins (68), Kevin Tucker (66) and Maxwell Scodro (69) occupied fifth at minus-9.

Taylor went out with the morning wave and recorded six birdies during his bogey-free round to grab the clubhouse lead.

But Panzeri went out later and reeled off four birdies in a five-hole stretch from the fourth to make the turn at 8-under before opening his inward nine with an eagle at the 10th to move into a share of the lead.

He then pulled ahead with a birdie at the 13th, and later added another gain at the 17th after sticking his second shot to about a foot from the pin to finish at 12-under.

Epperson played his first 11 holes at 4-under with birdies at the third, seventh, eighth and 10th to first meet Taylor at 10-under before tripping to a double-bogey 6 at the 12th to fall two strokes off the pace.

But Epperson bounced back with four birdies over his final six holes, including a 3-foot birdie putt at the last, to move to the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

NOTES: This event was initially scheduled for June 20-23, but was postponed due to torrential rains and flooding in the Calgary area ... Panzeri is seeking his second career win on PGA Tour Canada and first since the 2011 Dakota Dunes Casino Open, while Epperson is trying for his first career victory on tour.