Maggert & Sutherland Share Lead at Regions Tradition


First-round leader Jeff Maggert birdied the final two holes for his second straight 5-under 67 to stay atop the leaderboard at the Regions Tradition. The $2.3 million event, the first major of the year on the Champions Tour, began Thursday at Shoal Creek in Alabama.

The 51-year-old Maggert, a resident of Houston with one victory on the over-50 circuit, stands at 10-under 134, the same total as Kevin Sutherland, who followed up his opening 68 with a 66.

Maggert, who began Friday with a one-stroke edge over Sutherland, carded six birdies, an eagle on the par-5 11th and three bogeys.

Sutherland, who became the first and so far only player in Champions Tour history to shoot a 59 at last year's Dick's Sporting Goods Open, also eagled the 11th and tacked on six birdies. The California native's only dropped shot came at the par-4 15th.

"It's the same as it was the first two days: Get the ball on the fairway and see what happens from there," Sutherland told reporters. "That's what you need to do here, and I've done it the last two days. And also just kind of have fun and enjoy the moment."

Noted Maggert of his approach: "The leaderboard doesn't really come into play until maybe the back nine on Sundays, so just keep playing hard and making birdies."

Trailing the co-leaders by three is Michael Allen, who posted a 67, while five back are defending champion Kenny Perry (69), Fred Funk (69) and Germany's Bernhard Langer. Langer, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, rebounded from an opening 73 with seven birdies and a bogey for a 66 to match the day's low round.

Six behind Maggert and Sutherland are John Riegger (68), Jeff Hart (69) and Gene Sauers (70). Tied for 10th at 141 are Zimbabwe's Mark McNulty (68), Mexico's Esteban Toledo (71) and Americans Tom Watson (72) and Tom Pernice Jr. (70).

After almost matching his age of 68 on Thursday, Gil Morgan followed up his opening 70 with a 72 to enter the weekend tied for 14th at 1-under 143 with Scotsman Colin Montgomerie (73) and fellow Americans Tom Lehman (66) and Olin Browne (71). Lehman won the Regions Tradition in 2011 and '12.

The only other players under par through 36 holes - at 143 - are Kirk Triplett, Woody Austin, Rod Spittle, Scott Verplank, Brad Bryant and Bob Tway.

After each opened with 75s Loren Roberts and Nick Price withdrew before starting their second rounds for health reasons.

There is no cut in the 72-hole tournament. With the withdrawals of Roberts and Price, there are 79 players left in the field.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/regions-tradition/leaderboard.html.