Pernice Jr., Merrick lead lively AT&T National (AP)
By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer 38 minutes ago
BETHESDA, Md. - Tom Pernice Jr. matched the course record with a 63, then criticized the commissioner. John Merrick, with a boost from some boisterous fans, went 5 under for his last five holes. Greg Kraft was forced to make an impossible shot with a 4-iron because he only had four clubs in his bag. And 14 players were invited to the White House for fireworks.
Oh, the fun that Tiger Woods is missing because of that bum knee.
Tiger's tournament, the AT&T National, carried on merrily without him on the Fourth of July. Pernice and Jeff Overton (65) shared the lead at 9 under after Friday's second round, with rising star Anthony Kim (67) and Cliff Kresge (65) three shots back on a Congressional Blue Course that wasn't playing up to its usual tough reputation.
"It's possible to shoot a good number here this week," said 2007 runner-up Steve Stricker, who was four off the lead after a carding a 64. "The greens are a little soft. The course is in great shape. The rough is down a little bit from last year."
To commemorate the holiday, American flags were on the pins at all 18 holes. Pernice targeted them better than anybody, making eight birdies and one bogey. Birdie putts of 19 feet at No. 6 and 21 feet at No. 7 got him going, and he capped the round with an 8-iron to 2 feet for a birdie at the 18th.
Pernice's 63 equaled the score posted by Matt Gogel in 2005 when the Booz Allen Classic was played at Congressional.
Pernice, a former member of the PGA Tour's policy board, then took his seat in the interview chair and said that tour commissioner Tim Finchem should be more proactive in dealing with two problematic issues: U-shaped grooves that produce extra spin coming out of the rough, and tournaments that have become second-tier because they are rarely — if ever — visited by Woods or any of the other top players.
"There are some things that the tour could do to help the sponsors," Pernice said. "I think there's got to be something. Michael Jordan didn't get to skip and not go play in Madison Square Garden against the Knicks when the Knicks were good and he didn't like playing there or whatever."
Merrick, meanwhile, finished his round with five 3s — three birdies, a par and an eagle — for a 64 and to join the large group four shots off the lead. He happened to be in the same threesome as local favorite Steve Marino, the first-round leader whose clamorous high school friends again made their presence known with golf cheers uttered with football-style intensity.
Fortunately for Merrick, Marino's followers were nonpartisan, cheering loudly for all three players in the group. Merrick didn't mind a bit.
"We had a good time out there. It was fun. It's always nice to have guys in the crowd rooting you on," Merrick said. "It's cool to see guys who are excited to be out here."
Kraft won't be around for the weekend, a fate he realized when he was at 7 over and play was halted by a late afternoon thunderstorm. He returned with only four clubs — driver, 4-iron, sand wedge and putter — figuring those would be enough to play the final three holes.
However, calamity ensued after a drive into the bunker in the ninth. He eventually ended up with a 132-yard shot to the green, so he pulled out the 4-iron and essentially hit the ball sideways, spinning a high, soft cut to 8 feet, where he made the putt for par.
"Best shot I've ever seen," said playing partner Fred Funk.
The golfers invited to the White House to celebrate the Fourth as well as an early birthday for President Bush included expected notable names such as Stricker, Funk, Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Rocco Mediate, Jim Furyk. Next year, Kim might earn his way onto the list.
Living up to his billing as the next young threat in golf, Kim appeared poised to catch the leaders until the 1 1/2-hour storm delay slowed his momentum. A bogey on the par-5 ninth gave him a 67, although he's still very much in the hunt.
"I can't be too disappointed," Kim said. "I hit some poor shots and got nothing out of my game after the break, and that was unfortunate. But I've got two more days to go."