Fri Jul 18 22:21:38 2008

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Walton leads Canadian Tour Players Cup

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Winnipeg, MB (Sports Network) - Michael Walton fired a nine-under 62 Friday to take the lead after two rounds of the Canadian Tour Players Cup.

Walton, who opened with a 71 in the first round, carded nine birdies and an eagle along with just two bogeys in the second round to climb to nine-under, 133 overall.

He held a one-shot lead on Rob Grube and John Ellis, who were at eight-under 134. Grube shot a 65 on Friday, while Ellis, who was one of seven first-round co-leaders, had a 68.

Rob Oppenheim, another of the overnight co-leaders, posted a 70 Friday and was tied for fourth place with Wes Heffernan (67), Derek Gillespie (68) and Andy Matthews (69) at six-under, 136.

There were 33 players overall who were within six shots of Walton's lead after two days at Pine Ridge Golf Club. Defending champion Mike Mezei was among them following a 69 that placed him in a 14-way tie for 21st place at three-under 139.

Walton tied the course record with his 62, despite limping out with a 35 on the front nine. He went on to scorch the back nine for a 27, a run that began with a birdie-birdie-eagle start on the 10th through 12th holes.

"This kind of round has been hibernating," Walton joked. "No, I've actually been playing some good golf lately and have been shooting some good scores."

The cut line fell at one-under 141 with 62 players moving on to the weekend.