Seattle native Fred Couples shot a 5-under-par 66 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Senior Players Championship, the final major tournament of the season on the 50-and-older Champions Tour.
Couples, 51, is at 8 under for the tournament. Playing in his first event since undergoing nontraditional back treatment about six weeks ago in Germany, Couples has put together two solid rounds at Westchester Country Club's tree-lined West Course.
"I drove the ball very well," Couples said. "I didn't make many mistakes. ... I don't want to say I left any out there. I did miss a couple but I made a few too, so it was a good day."
Couples — who is expected to be the main attraction next week at the Boeing Classic, which starts Friday at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge — turned in his best two opening rounds since the Toshiba Classic in California in March. He tied for fifth place in that event.
Peter Senior remains in second at 7 under after a second-round 69. Corey Pavin is third at 6 under after a second-round 69. John Cook is fourth at 5 under after a second-round 68, one stroke ahead of defending champion Mark O'Meara. O'Meara shot a 70 and is in a three-way tie at 4 under with first-round leader Jeff Sluman (73) and Morris Hatalsky (67).
Gary Hallberg, who tied with Senior in the first round, fell seven strokes behind with a 75.
Couples seemed headed toward a strong round Thursday but faltered on the back nine. He was in danger of a repeat after bogeying No. 12 but rescued the round with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes, sinking putts of 15 and 8 feet.
"To be in contention is good for me, to go out Saturday and kind of get the feeling of having to hit a good shot here, make a putt there or get it up and down," Couples said. "So I'm in good spirits about the way I'm feeling and playing."
Couples, 51, is at 8 under for the tournament. Playing in his first event since undergoing nontraditional back treatment about six weeks ago in Germany, Couples has put together two solid rounds at Westchester Country Club's tree-lined West Course.
"I drove the ball very well," Couples said. "I didn't make many mistakes. ... I don't want to say I left any out there. I did miss a couple but I made a few too, so it was a good day."
Couples — who is expected to be the main attraction next week at the Boeing Classic, which starts Friday at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge — turned in his best two opening rounds since the Toshiba Classic in California in March. He tied for fifth place in that event.
Peter Senior remains in second at 7 under after a second-round 69. Corey Pavin is third at 6 under after a second-round 69. John Cook is fourth at 5 under after a second-round 68, one stroke ahead of defending champion Mark O'Meara. O'Meara shot a 70 and is in a three-way tie at 4 under with first-round leader Jeff Sluman (73) and Morris Hatalsky (67).
Gary Hallberg, who tied with Senior in the first round, fell seven strokes behind with a 75.
Couples seemed headed toward a strong round Thursday but faltered on the back nine. He was in danger of a repeat after bogeying No. 12 but rescued the round with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes, sinking putts of 15 and 8 feet.
"To be in contention is good for me, to go out Saturday and kind of get the feeling of having to hit a good shot here, make a putt there or get it up and down," Couples said. "So I'm in good spirits about the way I'm feeling and playing."
