John Mallinger, coming off a 133rd-place finish on the money list that cost him fully exempt status on the PGA Tour, shot a 7-under 65 at Pebble Beach on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the Pebble Beach Invitational.
Mallinger had nine birdies and two bogeys in the second round to reach 9-under 135 in the 76-player event that features male and female professionals.
PGA Tour winner Matt Bettencourt, the first-round leader after a 64 at Del Monte, had a 72 at Spyglass Hill to drop into a tie for second with two-time Champions Tour winner Russ Cochran and four-time LPGA Tour champion Candie Kung. Cochran had a 65, and Kung shot a 68, both at Del Monte.
Annika Sorenstam, competing for one of the rare times since her retirement in 2008, shot a 72 at Spyglass Hill, leaving her six strokes back at 3 under.
