Verplank on top at Southern Hills

Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) - Oklahoma State graduate Scott Verplank shot a four-under 66 on Friday to take the lead during the second round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Verplank, considered a favorite before the tournament due to his straight hitting, completed 36 holes at four-under-par 136.
He is one ahead of Stephen Ames, who posted a one-under 69 on Friday. Camilo Villegas and Arron Oberholser are also three-under par in the middle of their second rounds.
Tiger Woods birdied his first hole on Friday and is even-par for the championship. The defending champion is gunning for his first major title of the year. Since his breakthrough Masters win in 1997, Woods has only had three seasons without a major title.
Woody Austin managed an even-par 70 in round two and is in the clubhouse at two-under-par 138. Sergio Garcia and 2006 U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy are also at that number on the course.
John Daly, the 1991 PGA Champion, bogeyed his first two holes and dipped to minus-one for the tournament.
Phil Mickelson carded a one-under 69 on Friday to move to plus-two for the championship. The 2005 winner was not satisfied despite an under-par round at this demanding track.
"It just feels like I'm leaving four, five shots out there, is all," said Mickelson, who has missed the cut in his last two majors. "I feel like I'm playing a lot better than I'm scoring. That's what's been frustrating."
Mickelson played a practice round with Verplank this week and saw something in his Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teammate.
"He spent a lot of time in Oklahoma and Texas with this Bermuda rough," Mickelson said. "He's able to get up-and-down on the greens. If he hits a poor shot, he can salvage par. I think he'll be the guy to beat this week."
Verplank parred his first eight holes, then rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the ninth. He birdied the par-three 11th and added birdies at 15 and 17 to grab the lead.
At the 18th, Verplank had 20 feet for a birdie, but missed. Seeking his first major title, he still has the lead with half of the field in the clubhouse.
"Other than the heat, I feel pretty good," said Verplank. "It would be more than a dream come true (to win a major), particularly to have it here close to where I live. It would be probably unbelievable to me."
Ames was tied with Verplank at minus-four on the 18th hole, but hit a tree with his approach. He could not hole a long par putt, but did convert a five- footer for bogey to stay one behind.
John Senden carded an even-par 70 and is in the clubhouse at minus-one. Adam Scott (68) and Paul McGiney (66) finished 36 holes at even-par 140.
Overnight leader Graeme Storm struggled to a six-over 76 Friday and tumbled plus-one for the championship.