Verplank fires 63, moves into lead at HP Classic

NEW ORLEANS -- Scott Verplank shot a 9-under 63 Friday for a 36-hole tournament record and a three-stroke lead in the HP Classic.

Verplank was at 16-under 128 after two trips around the 7,116-yard English Turn, three strokes ahead of Brian Gay and Todd Barranger.

Davis Love III and first-round co-leader Akio Sadakata were among five players another stroke back.

The 5-under cut was the second lowest this season.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Hale Irwin shot a 7-under 65 and held a one-stroke lead over Larry Ziegler and Bruce Fleisher in the first round of the Bruno's Memorial Classic.

Irwin had five birdies on the final nine holes of the Champions Tour event on the 6,992-yard, par-72 Founder's Course at the Greystone Golf Club.

Tom Jenkins and Morris Hatalsky were at 67.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Sweden's Fredrik Widmark shot a 7-under 65 to move into a tie for the second-round lead at the Italian Open.

Australia's Peter O'Malley bogeyed No. 18 for a 70 and was also at 10-under 134 at the 7,112-yard Gardagolf Country Club.

Colin Montgomerie, playing in Europe for the first time this season, shot a 67 and was three shots behind the leaders.

LPGA TOUR: Grace Park shot a 3-under 68 and Lorena Ochoa had a 69 to share the second-round lead at the Michelob Light Open.

Suzann Pettersen, who bogeyed two of her final three holes, and Akiko Fukushima, who birdied two of her final three holes, both shot 68s and were tied for third at 6-under 136.

-- From wire reports