English Rises to Top in Memphis


Harris English followed up his opening 4-under 66 with a 64 to vault into a two-stroke lead at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. The $5.7 million PGA Tour event got underway Thursday at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

English, a 23-year-old from Georgia with three top-10 finishes in 16 starts this year, began the second round with three straight birdies and then eagled the par-5 fifth to make the turn in 5-under 30. On the home half, he added two more birdies and a bogey for a 34.

"I'm still getting comfortable out here," the second-year player told PGATour.com. "Just trying to get in the hunt of a golf tournament every time. I've worked very hard the last couple weeks and couple months to get in this position."

English stands at 10-under 130, two strokes ahead of Shawn Stefani, who posted a 65. Five back are Paul Haley II and Scott Stallings, who both carded 68s.

English was among six players who shared the 18-hole lead in the tournament. The others were Australians Nathan Green and Stuart Appleby, and Martin Flores, Davis Love III and Americans Glen Day. Two of the co-leaders - Love and Day - had 70s to tie for fifth at 4-under 136 with Justin Hicks (69), Doug LaBelle II (66) and Nicholas Thompson (69).

Appleby carded a 1-over 71 to fall into a tie for 10th at 137, the same total as defending champion Dustin Johnson, who's recorded rounds of 67 and 70, and nine other players.

"Anything under par is good around here," Johnson told PGATour.com. "I need to have a good day tomorrow. I played pretty solid today. I need to get some more putts in the hole. I'm happy where I'm at. I played pretty well the last two days. Just this golf course is tough, it's tough to score on."

Flores had a 72 to go to 138. Green shot 75 to drop into a tie for 62nd at 1-over 141, which is right at the cut line.

Phil Mickelson overcame an opening 71 with a 67 to make the cut by three. Not so fortunate is Brandt Snedeker. The world's sixth-ranked player posted a 73 after a 70 on Thursday.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.