Mediate Extends Lead in Calgary


Rocco Mediate continued his fine play in the inaugural Shaw Charity Classic. The Champions Tour rookie has posted scores of 8-under 63 and 7-under 64 to forge a two-stroke lead in the $2 million, 54-hole event at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alberta.

Starting the second round with a one-shot lead, the 50-year-old Pennsylvanian started off slow on the front nine Saturday, carding two bogeys and an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole to make the turn in even-par 35. But on the home half, the six-time PGA Tour winner really got untracked, recording seven birdies for a 29 on the back nine.

He stands at 15-under 127, two ahead of Bobby Clampett (65) and four in front of Americans Tom Pernice Jr. (64) and Michael Allen (66) and South Africa's David Frost (66).

Five behind Mediate in a tie for sixth are Kirk Triplett (66), Jay Don Blake (66), Jeff Sluman (68) and Bart Bryant (68).

Mike Goodes fired Saturday's low round, an 8-under 63, for a share of 10th at 133 with fellow Yanks Steve Lowery (64), Craig Stadler (68) and Mark Brooks (67).

Sharing 14th at 134 are Americans Joe Daley (64), Fred Couples (65), Fred Funk (66), Duffy Waldorf (67) and Tom Byron (68), along with England's Roger Chapman (65).

Canada's Rod Spittle was only a shot behind Mediate before the start of the second round. But the 58-year-old from Ontario stumbled to a 73 that dropped him into a tie for 26th at 5-under 137.

Last week's winner on the Champions Tour's Boeing Classic, John Riegger, has recorded rounds of 69 and 70 and is well back of Mediate's torrid pace.

If Mediate can end up atop the leaderboard Sunday, he will have earned his second victory on the over-50 circuit; his first title came in February's Allianz Championship.

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