Turnesa leads Viking Classic with late birdie binge

Fri Sep 19, 9:55 PM EDT

American Marc Turnesa rallied with three late birdies for a four-under 68 to maintain a one-shot second round lead at the Viking Classic in Madison, Mississippi on Friday.

Turnesa, who had held a one-shot advantage after Thursday's first round, watched his lead slip away with a sloppy first nine but muscled his way back top the leaderboard with three straight birdies from the fourth (his 13th) to reach the midway point at 11-under 133 and remain on course for his maiden PGA Tour win.

Fellow Americans Will MacKenzie, who stormed into contention with a bogey-free eight-under 64, Paul Stankowski (65), Brian Gay (68) and Dicky Pride (67) are lurking on 10-under 134.

Fan favorite John Daly enjoyed one of his best efforts of the year mixing four birdies and an eagle with one bogey for a five-under 67 to make the cut for just the fifth time in 16 starts. He is four off the pace at seven-under 137.

David Duval, the former-world number one and British Open winner, carded a second consecutive 69 to move into contention at 138, making the cut for just the third time in 16 events.

Chris DiMarco and J.J. Henry, who represented the U.S. at the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland, will be free to watch the U.S. take on Europe this weekend in Louisville after failing to make the two-under cut.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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