RENO, Nev. (AP) Greg Chalmers birdied five of his last eight holes Friday to take a two-point lead in the Barracuda Championship, the PGA Tour's only modified Stableford scoring event.
The 42-year-old Australian had a 10-point round to reach 24 points at Montreux in the scoring system that awards eight points for double eagle, five points for an eagle, two points for a birdie and deducts a point for a bogey and three points for a double bogey or worse.
First-round leader Martin Laird of Scotland bogeyed three of his last six holes - finishing with a three-putt on the par-4 ninth - to drop into a tie for second with 2013 winner Gary Woodland.
Most of the players are fighting for a spot in the British Open in two weeks at Royal Troon. Because of the West Virginia floods that led to The Greenbrier Classic being canceled next week, a spot at Royal Troon was transferred to the leading player not already eligible at Montreux. Woodland was one of five players already in the Open to advance to weekend play.
