Waldorf Now Sets Pace at Regions Tradition


Duffy Waldorf has carded rounds of 67 and 68 to take the halfway lead in the Regions Tradition. The second of five Champions Tour majors this season began Thursday at Shoal Creek in Alabama.

Waldorf, a 50-year-old from Los Angeles and four-time winner on the PGA Tour, carded six birdies and a pair of bogeys to reach 9-under 135, a stroke ahead of Jeff Sluman. The 55-year-old Sluman, a five-time winner on the over-50 circuit, followed up his opening 65 with a 71.

"I'm pretty happy - I've done something well every day," Waldorf told a TV reporter at greenside. "I hit some long putts and it balanced out to be a really good round."

Friday's second round ended under darkening skies as there was a 3-hour, 13-minute rain delay

Two behind Waldorf are Canada's Rod Spittle (66) and Americans Michael Allen (69), Mark Calcavecchia (69) and Fred Couples (71).

Couples acknowledged later that he's had an enjoyable 2013, having contended in the Masters and being inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame. "It's been a great year, but I would say golf was fair. I haven't played a whole lot," said the 53-year-old. "I did play well in Newport Beach and then at Augusta. As everyone knows, I was tied after two rounds.

"But the rest of it's been very exciting. Being the Presidents Cup stuff and got to go to the White House last week and then being inducted into the Hall of Fame and having a lot of people from Seattle and college go. It was truly fun."

Three strokes behind Waldorf in a tie for seventh are South Africa's David Frost (70), Australian Peter Senior (71) and Americans Mike Goodes (68), Loren Roberts (69), Bart Bryant (69) and John Cook (68).

Tied for 13th at 5-under 139 are Scott Hoch (67), David Eger (70), last week's winner in the Principal Charity Classic - Russ Cochran (68), Fred Funk (67), Morris Hatalsky (68) and Mexico's Esteban Toledo (69).

After opening with a 69, defending champion Tom Lehman carded a 71 and shares 19th at 140 with Bob Tway (71) and Jim Thorpe (68). Lehman had four birdies and all pars through 16 holes but stumbled home with a double-bogey on the par-5 17th and a bogey on the par-4 last.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.